The Effects of Allopregnanolone on Feeding: A Behavioural Investigation

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Neuroscience

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Fudge, Melissa

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Ossenkopp, Klaus-Peter
• Kavaliers, Martin

• anxiety
• appetitive behaviors
• consummatory behaviors
• hyperphagia
• lickometer
• lickometer/automated open field
• locomotor activity
• neophobia
• neurosteroid
• taste reactivity
• thigmotaxis

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/39919

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/39919