Hyperinsulinemia and its role in maintaining the hypothalamic hyperphagia in chickens

Body weights and skeletal growth of female rats treated neonatally with low doses of testosterone propionate (TP) or estradiol benzoate (FB) were greater than oil-treated controls. After ovariectomy at 75 days of age EB-treated animals gained less weight than did the oil-treated controls and TP-treated rats which were comparable in weight gain. Neonatal treatment with TP or EB produced decreased sensitivity to the anorexic and weight-limiting effects of estrogen treatment after ovariectomy. However, all groups were equally sensitive to the anorexic effects of a single dose of CI-628. The possible mechanisms by which neonatal treatments with gonadal hormones influence food intake and body weight regulation are discussed.