Abstract:

Objective〓〖WTBZ〗To explore sex-related effects of dietary restriction (DR) on learning and memory in rats. 〖WTHZ〗Methods〓〖WTBZ〗Male and female rats were fed a standard rodent diet and libitum (control), 80% of control (20% DR), 60% of control (40% DR), or 50% of control (50% DR) for 30 days. Then, the ability of learning and memory of the male and female rats was measured by the Morris water maze. 〖WTHZ〗Results〓〖WTBZ〗Body weight of the DR rats was reduced relative to the controls except that of the 20% DR group. Learning and memory retention test in the Morris maze demonstrated that 40% DR and 50% DR increased learning but not retention in male rats, whereas neither learning nor retention was affected in females. 〖WTHZ〗Conclusion〓〖WTBZ〗DR produces sex-dependent effects on learning.

Key words: Dietary restriction, Learning, Memory, Sex, Rats, inbred strains