Some effects of ovarian hormones on food intake and body weight in female rats.

Abstract

Conducted 3 experiments with a total of 63 ovariectomized and 41 ovariectomized-adrenalectomized Sprague-Dawley rats in which ovarian steroids affected food intake and body weight. These effects were probably mediated by estradiol and progesterone, since these 2 hormones were more effective than their principal metabolites (estrone 5a-pregnane-3,20-dione, 5ai0regnane-3,20-dione, respectively) in altering the food intake and body weight of ovariectomized Ss. Estradiol seemed to affect food intake by lowering the set point about which body weight is regulated in a dose-dependent fashion. These actions of estradiol could be attenuated or completely blocked by concurrent injections of progesterone. Estradiol-treated ovariectomized Ss were far more responsive to the weight- and appetite-promoting actions of progesterone than were ovariectomized-adrenalectomized Ss, suggesting that the principal action of progesterone on energy balance may be to interfere with the effects of estradiol. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)