Effects of bicuculline infusions in the ventromedial hypothalamus and amygdaloid complex on food intake and affective behavior in mother rats.

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Abstract
The mother rat is hyperphagic, aggressive toward other adults, and less fearful than non-maternal rats. The present experiments were conducted to examine whether GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid) mechanisms in the ventromedial hypothalamus and amygdala participate in the control of these behavioral changes. Unilateral infusions of the GABA receptor blocker bicuculline (60 ng/0.5 microliter) into the ventromedial hypothalamus depressed food intake and lowered aggression. Similar infusions into the amygdaloid complex did not affect eating, but they did reduce aggressive behavior. Freezing behavior, a natural fear response, was not affected by the hypothalamic or the amygdaloid bicuculline infusions. These data support previous evidence suggesting a role for GABA in the regulation of postpartum changes in food intake and affective behavior.

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