title: Induction of a phosphate appetite in adult male and female rats.
abstract: We have reported that dietary inorganic phosphate (Pi) deprivation induces a Pi-seeking behavior in juvenile male rats. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the Pi appetite is present in adult animals, and if so, whether it is altered during times of increased demand for Pi, such as pregnancy and lactation. Both male and female animals fed a low-phosphate diet (LPD) ingested significantly greater amounts of PiH(2)O daily than their normal phosphate diet (NPD) controls, and per 100 g of body weight (BW), the female animals fed LPD tended to ingest greater amounts of PiH(2)O than male rats fed LPD. Pregnant and lactating rats fed LPD ingested significantly more PiH(2)O than those fed NPD, however, neither group displayed a Pi appetite different than virgin females. However, lactation further reduced Pi levels in plasma and cerebral spinal fluid compared with control values. Despite the additional Pi from the PiH(2)O in the mothers fed LPD, pup birth weight was significantly lower than in NPD litters, and this was exacerbated 9 days after birth. This attenuated BW gain was associated with lower plasma Pi levels in the pups. In conclusion, a mild but consistent Pi-seeking behavior is induced in adult male and female rats after only 2 days of dietary Pi restriction. On a relative basis, the amount of PiH(2)O ingested is greater in female than in male animals, but does not increase further during pregnancy and lactation.
authors.affiliation: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Room 253 Basic Science Building, 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czarnogorski
authors.forename: Craig B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Woda
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schulkin
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mulroney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010710:Phosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates