HYPOBARIC HYPOXIA AND HEDONIC MATRIX IN RATS

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of continuous exposu re to hypobaric hypoxia on the feeding behavior and taste responses of rats, under simulated conditions of a high altitude (HA) of 7,620 m f or 21 h a day and consecutively for 18 d, which more closely resembles actual field conditions. Their food, water intake and body weight wer e recorded daily, and blood sugar was estimated once a week. All the p arameters were recorded for a period of 18 d each, before, during, and after exposure to simulated HA. The results show a decrease in daily food and water intake and body weight, and mild hypoglycemia during hy poxic exposure. Single-bottle and two-bottle tests showed a preference for sweet solutions over water, citric acid, sodium chloride, and qui nine sulfate during exposure. The two-bottle test showed a preference for glucose over calorically-inert saccharine. The continuous exposure in this study produced qualitatively similar but quantitatively accen tuated results as compared to intermittent 6 h exposure contiguously f or 21 d. High-altitude stress appears to influence food intake such th at sensory cues assume greater significance during feeding behavior.