WATER CONSERVATION BY INHIBITION OF FOOD INTAKE

Bodyweight, food and water intake, faecal water loss, and rectal temperature, in the Barbary dove, were measured daily during ad libitum food and water intake, water deprivation, and food deprivation, at controlled environmental temperatures. Water intake, water loss, and rectal temperature fall markedly during food deprivation. During water deprivation there is a decline in food intake and in rectal temperature. Rectal water loss is found to be a linear function of food intake, and the inhibition of food intake is thus an important means of water conservation during water deprivation. Measurements taken at 20°C and at 30°C suggest that ambient temperature has a primary effect on drinking, and that water loss is secondary. © 1969.