Differential effects of morphine on food and water intake in food deprived and freely-feeding rats

In two experiments the effects of a range of doses of morphine (1, 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) on the food and water consumption of rats were studied. The results of the first experiment showed that in 24 h food-deprived rats, morphine reduced levels of food and water intake. The duration of these actions was dependent upon dose, with only the highest dose (30 mg/kg) producing any effect persisting for longer than 4 h. In contrast a second experiment showed that morphine increased levels of food and water intake in non-deprived animals. The effect on food intake was most apparent when measurements were taken at 2 h and 4 h after drug administration, while water intake remained above control levels for over 6 h. This study shows that the actions of morphine on ingestion of food and water are affected by food deprivation, and the results are consistent with the hypothesised role of endogenous opiates in the mediation of such behaviour.