Hyperactivity to quinine associated with osmotic thirst in the rat.

Studied cellular and extracellular fluid depletion in 5 experiments with Sherman female albino rats (N = 103). Drinking in response to cellular dehydration, but not in response to water deprivation, was severely disrupted by mild quinine adulteration of the drinking fluid. Cellular dehydration in conjunction with deprivation, although enhancing the intake of water, actually suppressed quinine intake. In contrast, intravascular fluid depletion added to water privation enhanced intake both of water and of quinine solutions. It is concluded that the heightened reactivity to quinine which accompanies cellular dehydration reflects a specific property of the osmotic-thirst mechanism. (24 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)