Behavioral consequences of dietary vitamin deficiency in young and middle-aged rats.

The behavioral correlates of vitamin A and B 6 dietary deficiency in young adult rats (Experiment 1) and middle-aged, retired breeder rats (Experiment 2) were examined. Male and female rats received either vitamin A deficient, vitamin B6 deficient, or normal control diets for two and a half months. Body weight, eating, and drinking of water and adulterated fluids were monitored. Pyridoxine deficiency generally had greater effects on consummatory behavior and weight gain than vitamin A deficiency, but this effect was influenced by the rats' age and sex. Wheel running, (Experiment 1), increased above control levels in both the vitamin delete groups. Vitamin A and B 6 deplete diets may affect behavior before an animal displays classical physical signs. Furthermore, such behavioral changes are not restricted to young, rapidly growing male rats; instead, their character is influenced by both the sex and age of the animal.