Effects of quinine adulteration upon body weight of LH-lesioned and intact male rats.

Abstract

Performed lateral hypothalamic (LH) lesions in 23 male Holtzman albino rats, resulting in a decline to 90% body weight (BW) compared to 14 controls. Thereafter, throughout a 9-wk observation period, BW was maintained at this chronically reduced level. Quinine adulteration of the diet resulted in an additional 12.8% decline in the level of maintained BW. Intact Ss fed the same quinine-adulterated diet likewise reduced and maintained BW at levels 12.3% below other controls fed an unadulterated diet. It is concluded that LH-lesioned male rats are not dependent upon the sensory qualities of an adlib diet to a degree differing from intact animals. Rather, they differ primarily in that they are attempting to defend a lower maintenance level or "set point" for BW. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)