Influence of the carcinogen 2‐acetylaminofluorene on rat feeding behaviour

The feeding pattern of rats fed the carcinogen 2‐acetylaminofluorene (AAF) ad libitum was investigated using a continuous‐recording electronic balance. Although a regular rhythm of eating was maintained, the timing of this rhythm was moved forward by 2–8 hrs. The extent of this shift increased with higher levels of dietary AAF, and with increasing time of AAF feeding. However, the degree of this change varied from rat to rat. As a result of the change in the timing of the diurnal rhythm of feeding, the rhythm of the AAF‐treated rats was no longer related to the controlled lighting conditions. There was also no relationship between the timing of the rhythm in any particular rat and the rhythms of rats in adjacent cages.