The forced swimming test: effects of glucose administration on the response to food deprivation and adrenalectomy

Abstract Rats food deprived for 24 h prior to a 15 min swimming test have no difficulty in acquiring the immobile response but showed significantly reduced levels of immobility (40%) on retest compared with controls (70%). This effect of food deprivation was reversed, by glucose (100 mg/kg), dexamethasone (6 μg/rat) and ketocyclazocine (25 /tg/rat). Adrenalectomised animals also acquire but cannot retain the immobile response, however, adrenalectomised rats given 1000 mg/kg glucose within 2 h of the initial swimming test are immobile for 75–85% of the retest period. We interpret these findings as suggesting a complex interplay of endocrine and metabolic factors are necessary for retention of the behavioural response.