Studies of the Mechanisms Involved in Radiation-conditioned Saccharin Avoidance and Radiation and Actinomycin-D-induced Bizarre Eating in Rats

Summary

The mechanisms involved in bizarre eating in irradiated and in actinomycin-D-treated rats, and conditioned saccharin avoidance in irradiated rats, were investigated. Epinephrine, carbachol, gastrin, secretin and atropine sulphate were employed in an attempt either to mimic or prevent the above behaviour patterns. With the exception of atropine sulphate none of the agents, which are known to alter the functional state of the stomach, either inhibited or induced the behavioural actions. Atropine sulphate inhibited the bizarre eating induced by both irradiation (850 R) and actinomycin-D. It also inhibited the radiation-induced conditioned aversion to saccharin. The degree of inhibition of the conditioned saccharin avoidance was shown to be dependent on the dose of radiation.