Effects of photoperiod and castration on post-fast food intake and body weight gain in golden hamsters.
This experiment examined the effects of photoperiod and castration of post-food-restriction food intake and body weight gain in male golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Hamsters were ether castrated or sham-operated and housed in a 14:10 light-dark (LD) or a 8:16 LD cycle for 8 weeks. All animals were restricted to a 6 g of chow per day for 13 days and then returned to ad lib feeding. Following food restriction the hamsters gained weight rapidly without overeating. The long photoperiod (LD 14:10) increased post-restriction weight gain in castrated hamsters but decreased weight gain in gonadally intact animals. These differences in body weight gain were associated with significant group differences in feed efficiency (grams weight gain per gram eaten). The results suggest that changes in energy utilization may be more important than changes in energy intake in the adaptation of hamsters to food restriction.
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002369:Castration; D006224:Cricetinae; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005215:Fasting; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D010507:Periodicity
D000728:Androgens