Estradiol benzoate potentiates the effects of body-restraint in suppressing food intake and reducing body weight.
Food intakes and body weights were recorded daily over a 15 day period for groups of ovariectomized rats. During days 6-10 rats were injected with estradiol benzoate at one of four concentrations, 0, 0.625 micrograms, 1.25 micrograms, and half the animals in each group were stressed by being restrained in small Plexiglas chambers for 30 min per day. During the treatment period there was a dose response inhibitory effect of estradiol benzoate on intake and body weight that was greater in confined than in unrestrained animals especially at the intermediate dose of estradiol. In the posttreatment period the effect of restraint on intake persisted whereas the hormone effect did not, but the effects of estradiol were apparent on body weight in both confined and unconfined rats. This synergistic relationship between small doses of estrogen and stress in producing anorexic effects provides an animal model of anorexia nervosa; a possible neuroendocrine mechanism that could explain the effect is discussed.
Stevens
R
R
Department of Psychology, Nottingham University United Kingdom.
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006815:Hunger / Q000187:drug effects*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000523:psychology
D004958:Estradiol