Exercise training-related modifications in food intake in aged male and female rats.

Male and female Lou rats of 4, 16, 25, 28 months of age were submitted to a self-selection diet in order to study their capacity to balance their food intake when they are submitted to a swimming session on 6 consecutive days. We observed a body weight gain decrease and a decrease of lipid intake. Sexual differences appeared in the diet composition during exercise. The oldest females chose less lipid and more protein than males. This sexual dimorphism may be due to an earlier dysfunction of the food intake control mechanisms during ageing in the male. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.