Acute Effect on Food Consumption in Rats

Food intake is measured in acute experiments in normal or obese rats. Additionally, in semichronic experiments body weight gain is recorded. 

Average food intake and body weight is recorded for each day. Average values of candidate compounds are compared statistically for each day with the control group. Results after oral administration have to be confirmed by parenteral route in order to exclude errors due to palatability. 

Mennini et al. (1991) and Anelli et al. (1992) studied the anorectic activity of various compounds in different species, such as mice, rats, and guinea pigs. 

Bowden et al. (1988) used metabolism cages equipped with automated feeding monitors. Food was provided as 45 mg pellets which were singly delivered to a feeding trough. A photodetector sensed the removal of the pellet, and the number of pellets delivered over a specified time interval was recorded. 

Samanin et al. (1979) described anorexia in rats induced by the central serotonin agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine. 

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