Hormonal Inputs to Thirst

Abstract

Thirst is one of the most important homeostatic mechanisms within the complex system of the body fluid control. In healthy subjects operation of the thirst system and of the other systems brought into action by changes in body fluid tonicity or volume is, with some exceptions such as voluntary dehydration, precisely adjusted to smooth and effective restoration of normal conditions. This phenomenon strongly implies existence of a highly integrated co-ordination of thirst with the other effectors. During recent years extensive research has been focused on the role of hormonal inputs. In particular, the possibility of direct effects of hormones on water intake has been debated.