Reactivity of normal and VMH-lesion rats to quinine-adulterated foods: Negative evidence for negative finickiness

Conducted 2 experiments with ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) and normal rats to examine (1) whether the anorexic properties of quinine depend on quinine's sensory properties or on its postingestive effects, and (2) whether VMH rats overrespond to quinine adulteration. These issues were examined by comparing the feeding adjustments to quinine by VMH and normal male Long-Evans rats in a sham-feeding situation and under normal feeding circumstances, on Ss' initial exposure to this drug. In Exp I, 17 Ss received VMH lesions or sham lesions before being sham fed with various concentrations of quinine. In Exp II, 18 lesioned or sham-lesioned Ss were fed unadulterated food for 12 days, followed by a meal adulterated with quinine, 2 days of pure mash, and 1 day of quinine. Quinine caused significant depression of food intake in Ss. Little evidence exists for a conclusion that VMH rats are more reactive than normals to quinine-adulterated foods. Results suggest that major food intake perturbations of VMH rats are in response to hedonically positive dietary manipulations. (31 ref)