Behavior resulting from calcium deprivation in parathyroidectomized rats.

Abstract

These experiments test some of the consequences of specific nutrient deprivation. Single-bottle-concentration preference tests showed that 8 parathyroidectomized (ptx), Holtzman rats consumed high but essentially equal amounts of 0.15-1.0% calcium (Ca) lactate solution whereas normals preferred 0.3%. 9-16 hr. Ca deprivation motivated ptx rats to learn lever pressing for Ca. The pressing increased with deprivations up to 15 hr. The experiments demonstrate that Ca drive has properties common to other appetitive drives, and initiates behavior that compensates for the lack of parathyroid hormone.