The Effects of Allopregnanolone on Feeding: A Behavioural Investigation
type: CreativeWork
description: Allopregnanolone (5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one), a neurosteroid, has been shown to produce hyperphagia in rodents. The effects of allopregnanolone on appetitive and Consummatory behaviors associated with feeding were examined. Allopregnanolone had no effect on consummatory behaviors, as measured by the taste reactivity test. In the lickometer test, allopregnanolone significantly increased the intake and licking of a sucrose solution, only when it was novel, indicating a reduction in neophobia (food related). In a lickometer/automated open field test, allopregnanolone significantly reduced thigmotaxis produced by exposure to a novel environment further indicating a reduction in neophobia (environment related). However, allopregnanolone had no significant effect on spout approach behaviors and produced a mild sedative effect on vertical activity and licking without affecting horizontal activity. The present research supports the hypothesis that allopregnanolone-induced hyperphagia is the result of anxiety reduction without affecting other appetitive or consummatory behaviors.
abstract: Allopregnanolone (5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one), a neurosteroid, has been shown to produce hyperphagia in rodents. The effects of allopregnanolone on appetitive and Consummatory behaviors associated with feeding were examined. Allopregnanolone had no effect on consummatory behaviors, as measured by the taste reactivity test. In the lickometer test, allopregnanolone significantly increased the intake and licking of a sucrose solution, only when it was novel, indicating a reduction in neophobia (food related). In a lickometer/automated open field test, allopregnanolone significantly reduced thigmotaxis produced by exposure to a novel environment further indicating a reduction in neophobia (environment related). However, allopregnanolone had no significant effect on spout approach behaviors and produced a mild sedative effect on vertical activity and licking without affecting horizontal activity. The present research supports the hypothesis that allopregnanolone-induced hyperphagia is the result of anxiety reduction without affecting other appetitive or consummatory behaviors.
author: Fudge, Melissa
language: en
keywords: anxiety, appetitive behaviors, consummatory behaviors, hyperphagia, lickometer, lickometer/automated open field, locomotor activity, neophobia, neurosteroid, taste reactivity, thigmotaxis
date published: 2004
date modified: 2026-07-27T21:55:56Z
provider: Western University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: The University of Western Ontario

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/39919