The longstanding biotic interactions hypothesis predicts that herbivore pressure declines with latitude, but the evidence is mixed. To address gaps in previous studies, we measured herbivory and defence in the same system, quantified defence with bioassays, and considered effects of leaf age. We quantified herbivory and defence of young and mature leaves along a continental gradient in eastern ...

A previous study has implicated central mu opioid receptors in the preference for salt solutions. Because mu, kappa and delta receptors are all thought to play a role in food intake and/or the mediation of palatability, we performed a series of experiments to determine whether preferential agonists at kappa and delta receptors might also stimulate the intake of salt solutions. When injected cen...

Food is a major aspect of pet care; therefore, ensuring that pet foods are not only healthful but attractive to companion animals and their owners is essential. The petfood market remains active and requires ongoing evaluation of the adaptation and efficiency of the new products. Palatability-foods' characteristics enticing animals and leading them to consumption-is therefore a key element to l...

Numerous reports have described genetic markers or genomic regions (QTL) associated with pork quality and/or palatability but few validation studies have been reported. Therefore, 156 SNP markers from 45 candidate genes and eight QTL regions were analyzed for association with pork quality and palatability traits from 888 pork loins. Loins were collected at three slaughter facilities and selecte...

The question of whether opiates stimulate feeding by enhancing taste pleasure was investigated by examining the effect of morphine upon hedonic and aversive reactions to taste (tongue protrusions, gapes, etc.). Rats (n = 12) were given SC injections of morphine (4 mg/kg) or equal volumes of isotonic saline 2 h after the start of their daily light cycle. Food intake was measured in a 2-h test. O...

A double blind trial was conducted to determine the dose of ibuprofen suspension, which is effective in reducing the body temperature. The principal measure of efficacy was a reduction in axillary temperature of 1 degree C or more three hours after dosing. A second objective of the trial was to compare the incidence and severity of side effects and the palatability of a range of ibuprofen doses...

A series of six palatability studies, employing acceptance (three studies) and preference (three studies) tests, were used to compare the voluntary acceptance, preference and consumption of a palatable formulation of carprofen (Rimadyl® Chewable Tablets or Rimadyl® Palatable Tablets; Pfizer Animal Health) with those of two generic formulations of carprofen (Carprodyl® Tablets; Ceva and Norocarp...

Wide availability of highly palatable foods is often blamed for the rising incidence of obesity. As palatability is largely determined by the sensory properties of food, this study investigated how sensitivity to these properties affects how much we eat. Forty females were classified as either high or low in sensory sensitivity based on their scores on a self-report measure of sensory processin...

Monosaccharides such as glucose contribute to the development of meat flavor upon heating via the Maillard reaction; therefore, monosaccharide content is related to beef palatability. Here, we analyzed the effects of genetic and environmental factors on the content of glycogen, one of the precursors of monosaccharides, in the muscles of 958 fattened Japanese Black cattle from Yamagata Prefectur...

Eighty bulls were assigned to one of two groups and fed a dietary regimen to defer or accelerate growth until slaughter. Bulls fed at an accelerated rate of growth (or high energy regimen) had higher post-mortem pH, and lower muscle glycogen stores, with darker lean color, and improved shear and palatability traits compared to deferred fed animals. Bulls fed at an accelerated rate of growth als...