Central osmoregulatory influences on thermoregulation

Abstract

1. Many mammals maintain a constant core body temperature in the face of a heat load by using evaporative cooling responses, such as sweating, panting and spreading of saliva. These cooling mechanisms incur a body fluid deficit if the fluid lost as sweat, saliva or respiratory moisture is not replaced by the ingestion of water; body fluid hypertonicity and hypovolaemia result. 2. Evidence in several mammals shows that, as they become dehydrated, evaporative cooling mechanisms such as sweating and panting are inhibited so that further fluid loss from the body is reduced. As a result, core temperature in the dehydrated animal is maintained at a higher than normal level. 3. Increasing the osmot..