ADJUSTMENT TO FOOD DEPRIVATION CYCLES AS A FUNCTION OF AGE AND PRENATAL X IRRADIATION

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Journal of Genetic Psychology (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00221325.1963.10532747· OSTI ID:4165069

Tacker, R S; Furchtgott, E

Rats exposed to 100- to 200-r doses of x rays in utero between days 14 and 18 of gestation were placed on a 22-hr food deprivation cycle. Their ages at the start of the experiment varied from 75 to 735 days. Speed of adjustment to the food deprivation, measured in terms of the number of days that body weight losses occurred, was inversely related to age, and at every age level the x- irradiated rats adjusted more slowly than the control animals. The initial greater weight and excess body fat of the older animals probably accounts for their slower adjustment to the deprivation schedule. Also, central nervous system (CNS) factors, which play an important role in feeding, are probably less efficient in older subjects. The greater loss in body weight and slower adjustment of the irradiated rats at every age level was surprising since in each group they weighed initially less thin the controls, and thus presumably had a greater caloric need. Hence it would seem plausible to invoke CNS deficiency as a major factor retarding the animals adjustment to the feeding regimen. Previous studies have demonstrated learning deficits in prenatally irradiated rats. The hypothesis is presented that irradiated animals are slower in learning to eat a sufficient amount during the 2-hr feeding period, even though they weigh less than controls, and thus their caloric deficit is greater. It is also proposed that the irradiation effects mimic aging. The inverse relation between adjustment to food deprivation and age, and the slower adjustment of the irradiated subjects it every age level would fit the aging hypothesis of radiobiology. The results are considered as the first behavioral support for the radiobiological theory of aging. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-000080
• OSTI ID: 4165069
• Journal Information: Journal of Genetic Psychology (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of Genetic Psychology (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 102; ISSN JGPYA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGE
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BRAIN
DIET
EMBRYOS
FOOD
NERVOUS SYSTEM
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RATS
VARIATIONS
X RADIATION