Hoarding behavior of adrenalectomized hamsters.

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Abstract
Several studies on food-hoarding have referred to a high level of bodily activity and some investigators have concluded that bodily activity, per se, is the goal of hoarding. In the only study designed to test this hypothesis, the data obtained were interpreted as equivocal. The present study was designed to determine the effect of adrenalectomy on frequency of hoarding since adrenalectomy is followed by a marked reduction in activity. When adrenalectomized subjects are given an increased quantity of salt in the diet, level of activity increases and, if level of bodily activity is related to hoarding, the frequency of the latter should increase also. The data from the investigation supported both of the preceding hypotheses. Non salt-supplemented adrenalectomized hamsters hoarded significantly less food pellets than the salt-supplemented subjects, while the latter hoarded significantly less than normal controls.

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