Regulatory role of atrial natriuretic polypeptide in water drinking in rats.

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of synthetic alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) decreased the water intake of dehydrated rats. Anti-ANP antiserum, which can neutralize endogenous ANP, potentiated the water intake induced by water deprivation or angiotensin II (AII) injection in rats. These findings suggest that endogenous ANP in rat brain antagonizes the action of AII and plays an important role in the maintenance of drinking behavior.