Abstract
Prolactin (Prl) increases food consumption in ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) and may promote the hyperphagia exhibited by parent doves when provisioning young. These experiments tested whether Prl also enhances appetitive aspects of feeding behavior. Prl elevated pecking rates in food-restricted doves on a variable-interval (VI) reinforcement schedule and supported continued responding when doves were returned to ad-lib feeding. Prl-treated doves learned the key-pecking response when food intake was clamped at ad-lib levels exhibited before Prl treatment but not when given free access to food. Median break points on a progressive ratio schedule were 2-3 times greater in food-restricted doves than Prl-treated, food-clamped doves even though response rates were similar on VI schedules. These results indicate that Prl enhances appetitive aspects of feeding, although food restriction at the level imposed in this study was more effective in this regard.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
