Table 6.
Plasma osmotic threshold a for appearance of the thirst sensation.
| Mean (Range b) Osmotic Threshold (mOsm/kg) | Participants/Conditions | References |
|---|---|---|
| IVHS, 298 (294–300) M, 296 (290–299) |
Normal adults (n = 2–5 ♂&♀), supine rest, IVHS (5%) and hypertonic mannitol (M, 20%) | Zerbe et al., 1983 [73] |
| F, 297 (296–298) L, 293 (291–295) |
Healthy women (n = 8) were tested in the follicular (F) and luteal (L) phases of the menstrual cycle, IVHS | Spruce et al., 1985 [87] |
| 287 (286–288) | Healthy males (n = 7), recumbent rest, IVHS | Thompson et al., 1988 [75] |
| 287 (282–291) | Healthy adults (3♂, 4♀), recumbent rest, IVHS | Thompson et al., 1991 [76] |
| MZ, 286 (276–293) DZ, 289 (283–296) |
Healthy twins (7♂ monozygotic pairs, 6♂ dizygotic pairs), IVHS | Zerbe et al., 1991 [77] |
a, refers to the plasma osmolality (i.e., determined statistically or graphically) at which thirst is first perceived; b, mean (range or 95% confidence interval); Abbreviations: IVHS, intravenous hypertonic saline; IVI, intravenous isotonic saline.