SEX DIFFERENCE IN THE FEEDING RESPONSES OF NON-DEPRIVED RATS TO THE 5-HT(1A) AGONISTS 8-OH-DPAT AND GEPIRONE

The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any differenc e in the feeding responses of male and female rats to the 5-HT1A agoni sts 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and gepirone. 8- OH-DPAT(62.5 and 500 mcg/kg, s.c) and gepirone (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg, s.c. ) significantly increased the amount of food consumed by non-deprived male rats (p < 0.01 in each case) over a 2 h period. Similar doses of 8-OH-DPAT and gepirone had no effects on food intake in non-deprived f emale rats. However, a higher dose of gepirone (i.e., 8 mg/kg, s.c.) s ignificantly increased feeding (p < 0.01) in non-deprived female rats. These results thus show a clear-cut sex difference in the sensitivity of non-deprived rats to the hyperphagic effects of 5-HT1A agonists.