Influence of oophorectomy and pinealectomy on water and NaCl ingestion by adult rats - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Purpose: to evaluate the effects of oophorectomy and pinealectomy on the ingestion of water and NaCl solution by adults female rats. Methods: forty-eight adult virgin female rats (Wistar EPM 1) weighing 200 g were kept on routine laboratory care and fed water and Purina rat chow ad libitum. The animals were random by divided into four groups: GI – maintained without manipulation as a control group (n = 20); GII – submitted to bilateral oophorectomy (n = 8); GIII – submitted to pinealectomy (n = 12); GIV – submitted to bilateral oophorectomy and pinealectomy (n = 8). All animals were maintained in individual cages. After three weeks the cycle phase was daily determined by vaginal smears and the volume of water and NaCl (0.25 M) solution was daily recorded for approximately three weeks. Results: the main results were: 1) rats submitted to pinealectomy alone presented a greater frequency of the estrous phase, some of these undergoing persistent estrus; 2) the liquid ingestion (water and saline solution) did not alter during the phases of the estrous cycle; 3) rats submitted to oophorectomy presented greater water ingestion and after pinealectomy water consumption returned to normal levels; 4) the oophorectomized and pinealectomized animals and those only oophorectomized showed reduction in the average consumption of saline solution. Conclusions: the data suggest that the ovaries and the pineal gland could have effects on the ingestion of salt and water in adult rats.