Effect of deprivation on food intake in female rats

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that food deprivation and access to food are common variables in studies about experimental analysis of feeding behavior and motivation theory. It is unknown if the order of exposure of these variables can modify intake patterns. In the present study, the effect between food deprivation and access-duration to food was explored. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of food deprivation and food access-duration on food intake in rats. The experimental design included exposure, in ascending and descending order, to both variables. Twelve female rats were assigned to one of each of the four groups: Long Ascending, Long Descending, Short Ascending and Short Descending. It was found that food intake was greater in short groups, independent of the order of exposure. The corporal weight followed the same tendency as the food intake under all conditions. These results are being discussed in term of their possible implication for the development of excessive or deficit food-intake patterns. To extend the generality of these findings it is necessary for more studies to include more combinations of both variables, as well as male rats as subjects.