[The participation of the gastrointestinal tract of desert rodents in osmoregulation].

Studies have been made on the levels of Na, K and water in the content of rectum and blind gut of the albino rat Rattus norvegicus and gerbils Rhombomys opimus, Meriones tamariscinus and M. meridianus under conventional water and salt supply and during prolonged water deprivation of animals. It was shown that under conventional conditions, the content of water, Na and K in the chymus of the blind gut is higher in gerbils than in rats. After 7-day dehydration in rats, the body weight decreased by 26.4 +/- 0.8%, the level of water in gut composition remained unchanged, whereas Na and K concentrations increased. In gerbils, 25 days after water deprivation, the loss of the body weight was equal approximately to 20%, Na concentration in rectal content decreased or remained unchanged, whereas K and water decreased. Possible role of gastro-intestinal tract in osmoregulation of desert rodents is discussed.