Abstract
Adult male, and female rats that had suffered either postnatal undernutrition or postnatal zinc deficiency were more highly motivated for food than normal rats. A progressive ratio schedule was used to test the rats for food motivation. All rats were deprived of food 24 h prior to testing. Each rat was tested once a week for 8 consecutive weeks. The smaller body size of the previously malnourished rats relative to their body surface area seemed to be the best explanation for their higher level of motivation.
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This work was supported in part by USDA Cooperative Agreement No. 12-14-3001-294 with the University of North Dakota. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.
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Halas, E.S., Burger, P.A. & Sandstead, H.H. Food motivation of rehabilitated malnourished rats: Implications for learning studies. Animal Learning & Behavior 8, 152–158 (1980). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209743
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209743