Influence of arginine vasotocin on a genetically determined excessive appetite for water in chickens.

Females from two inbred strains of chickens, one normal and one having hereditary diabetes insipidus, were treated with five levels (2.5, 1.0, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.1 units) of Schwartz-Mann (Grade A, 100 units/mg.) arginine vasotocin via ic. injections at 2-hr. intervals. Paired sibs, one normal and one having diabetes insipidus (di), from an F2 population were used in one experiment to compare responses at the level of 2.5 units. Only di females were used for the remaining four levels of treatment. Water intake was determined every two hours and calculated as a percentage of water (ml.)/body wt. Results show that hereditary diabetes insipidus in chickens is arginine vasotocin-sensitive at the 0.5 unit and higher levels. The genetic defect appears to affect the quantity of antidiuretic hormone produced.