8-OH-DPAT specifically enhances feeding behaviour in mice: evidence from behavioural competition

The behavioural specificity of the hyperphagic effects of 8-OH-DPAT is a controversial issue. The present study addressed this question through the introduction of behavioural competition. Feeding behaviour in male mice was assessed under both basal (free-feeding) and social conflict conditions. Since, in the latter condition, defence and escape are prepotent responses, elicitation of feeding would be indicative of a specific treatment effect on mechanisms controlling food intake. Results showed that 8-OH-DPAT enhanced basal feeding duration (at doses of 0.05–0.50 mg/kg) and also elicited feeding in intruder mice during encounters with aggressive resident conspecifics (at doses of 0.10–0.50 mg/kg). As the 5-HT₃ antagonist GR 38032F (1.0–2.0 mg/kg) enhanced feeding only under basal conditions, the effect of 8-OH-DPAT cannot readily be attributed to anxiety reduction. Finally, diazepam (1.0–2.0 mg/kg) produced a similar profile to that of 8-OH-DPAT, suggesting that the hyperphagic effects of the 5-HT_1A agonist are not pharmacologically specific.