**3.5. Water metabolism**

Water metabolism data are shown in Table 1.


Effect of Cadmium Contaminated Diet in Controlling Water Behavior by *Meriones shawi* 153

were not significantly affected in the group treated with Cd in comparison to control group

Following one week of dehydration, the water influx rates was significantly decreased from about 5 times in Meriones treated or not with Cd (p<0.01). Cd exposure may not affected the

In spite variations in water intake in different experimental conditions, all animals were in water equilibrium where water influx (Fin) and efflux (Fout) rates were equal (Fin = Fout).

In control *Meriones shawi*, AVP immunostaining was found to be homogeneously distributed in the large magnocellular neurons of SON (Fig. 2) and PVN (Fig. 3). In agreement with previous, in the absence of Cd ingestion, there was a significant compensatory increase in AVP immunostaining by the SON of deprived animals following eight days of water restriction (Fig. 2C) and two weeks (Fig. 2D) compared to controls animals (fig 2A and B). This increase in AVP immunostaining was also observed in PVN respectively after eight days and two weeks of water restriction (Fig. 3C) and (Fig. 3D) compared respectively to

Similarly to what was observed for AVP immunostaining in deprived animals without Cd, AVP immunoreactivity is strongly increased in SON following eight days of water restriction (Fig. 2E) and PVN (Fig. 2F) compared to controls animals respectively (Fig.2A) and (Fig.3A). The increase of AVP immunostaining became more important by prolonged

**Figure 1.** Effects of Cd exposure on water Water influx and efflux in adult *Meriones shawi* male under hydrated or deprived water conditions. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM from 6 animals in each

experiment for two weeks respectively in SON (Fig. 2F) and PVN (Fig. 3F).

and water equilibrium was maintained throughout the experiment.

**3.6. Distribution of immunohistochemical staining for AVP** 

water intake during our experiment.

controls animals (fig 3a and B).

group.

**Table 1.** Effects of Cd exposure on water metabolism (Total Body Water, Water influx, Water efflux, and Water Turnover Rates (WTR)and urinary and plasma osmolalities ) in adult *Meriones shawi* male under hydrated or deprived water conditions. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM from 6 animals in each group. ⃰⃰ p <0.01significantly different from controls C.� p<0.05; ��p<0.01 signifficantly different from Cd-exposed Meriones.

Total body water content in control group was 55.79 ± 2.74 (expressed by % of body weight). Throughout the experiments, body water was not significantly altered in any group. In animals having free access to water, water enters through metabolic water production and pre-formed water via food and drink.

The value of water influx was 10.90 ± 3.63 ml/ 63.83 ± 22.79 ml.Kg-0.82 .d-1. This water influx (Fin) was not significantly affected in the group treated with Cd in comparison to control group. The loss of water via excretion (urine and fecal) and evaporation was Fout =10.27 ± 3.66 ml/60.16 22.79 ml.kg-0.82.d-1. Water fluxes rate were equal (Fin = Fout). This indicates that animals were in water equilibrium. After, one week of Cd exposure, water flux rates were not significantly affected in the group treated with Cd in comparison to control group and water equilibrium was maintained throughout the experiment.

Following one week of dehydration, the water influx rates was significantly decreased from about 5 times in Meriones treated or not with Cd (p<0.01). Cd exposure may not affected the water intake during our experiment.

In spite variations in water intake in different experimental conditions, all animals were in water equilibrium where water influx (Fin) and efflux (Fout) rates were equal (Fin = Fout).
