Eating behavior reveals rats' preference for morphine.

Abstract

Using an automatic food intake measuring apparatus ("food intakometer"), we recorded the approach behavior to food, eating behavior and food intake of morphine dependent rats and examined the relationship among these factors and morphine dependence. Morphine dependent rats were produced by the drug-admixed food (DAF) method. In the choice trial of free feeding group, morphine dependent rats showed only the approach behavior both to drug-free diet and to morphine-admixed food, then ate the morphine-admixed food and approached the drug-free diet at the same period. Eating behavior in the case of morphine-admixed food was observed not only at night but also during thee feeding group, morphine dependent rats showed only the approach behavior both to drug-free diet and to morphine-admixed food, then ate the morphine-admixed food and approached the drug-free diet at the same period. Eating behavior in the case of morphine-admixed food was observed not only at night but also during the day time in the morphine dependent rats. In the choice trial of the limited feeding group, preference for morphine rapidly increased in every choice trial of each session and the preference rate became stable at about 60%. Eating patterns of these rats were similar to these in the free feeding group. When these rats were given morphine prior to the choice trial, eating behavior of those on the morphine-admixed food was inhibited dose-dependently, while eating behavior of these on the drug-free diet was enhanced dose-dependently. When these rats were allowed free access to drug-free diet for 1 hour previously to the choice trial, eating behavior of the rats on the morphine-admixed food in the choice trial was markedly enhanced. Thus, the rats clearly showed drug-seeking behavior and seemed to be able to distinguish between the need for morphine and satisfaction without it. Morphine dependent rats apparently can control their required maintenance dose.