Abstract
A circadian rhythm in food intake as measured every 2 hr over a period of 4 days was observed in adult male rats, and adult female rats on each day of the estrous cycle, as well as in prepubertal male and female rats. The pattern of food intake was similar in each group, with a peak of feeding activity at the onset of darkness and a second peak a few hours later. These peaks, relative to activity at other times of the day, were greatly reduced on the day of proestrus and in the prepubertal females. An increase in body weight was observed to occur daily in the prepubertal animals and in the adult males, while in the adult females there was a significant increase only on the day of estrus. The relationship of these phenomena to physiological estrogen levels and to previous observations in the literature are discussed.
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