Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Gustation and ingestive behavior in the rat.

Behavioral Neuroscience

|February 1, 1983

Summary

Gustatory deafferentation in rats reduced food and water intake and feeding efficiency. However, highly palatable food compensated for taste loss, indicating taste

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

EphA4 is necessary for spatially selective peripheral somatosensory topography.

Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists·2009

Same author

Development and lesion induced reorganization of the cortical representation of the rat's body surface as revealed by immunocytochemistry for serotonin.

The Journal of comparative neurology·2009

Same author

Neurotrophin receptor expression in retrogradely labeled trigeminal nociceptors--comparisons with spinal nociceptors.

Somatosensory & motor research·2002

Same author

trkA modulation of developing somatosensory neurons in oro-facial tissues: tooth pulp fibers are absent in trkA knockout mice.

Neuroscience·2001

Same author

Developmental dependency of Merkel endings on trks in the palate.

Brain research. Molecular brain research·2001

Same author

Thalamic projections from the whisker-sensitive regions of the spinal trigeminal complex in the rat.

The Journal of comparative neurology·2001

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Physiology
Behavioral Science

Background:

The gustatory system plays a crucial role in regulating food and water intake.
Understanding the specific contributions of taste versus other oral sensory inputs is essential for comprehending feeding behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of gustatory deafferentation on feeding behavior and sensory processing in rats.
To differentiate the roles of taste (gustation) and oral somatosensation in regulating food and water consumption.

Main Methods:

Gustatory deafferentation was achieved through surgical section of the chorda tympani, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves.
Behavioral assessments included monitoring food and water intake, body weight, feeding efficiency, and aversion thresholds.
Comparisons were made between deafferented rats and control groups, as well as with data from trigeminal nerve sections.

Main Results:

Gustatory deafferentation led to reduced responsiveness to food and water, increased aversion thresholds, and impaired feeding efficiency.
Food and water intake, along with body weight, remained significantly below control levels for an extended period post-surgery.
A deficit in food intake was not observed when rats were provided with a highly palatable diet (pablum), suggesting palatability can compensate for gustatory deficits.

Conclusions:

Gustatory input is critical for normal regulation of food and water intake and overall feeding efficiency.
The findings highlight the importance of taste in detecting and responding to food, with palatability acting as a compensatory factor.
This research contributes to understanding the distinct roles of gustatory and somatosensory pathways in oral behaviors.

Related Experiment Videos