Chronic oestrogen replacement in ovariectomised rats attenuates food intake and augments c-Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus specifically during the light phase

Chronic oestrogen replacement significantly reduced food intake during the light phase in ovariectomised rats.

• Food intake relative to body weight was significantly lower in the oestrogen group compared to the vehicle group during the light phase.
• No differences in food intake were observed between the groups during the dark phase.
• c-Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus was significantly higher in the oestrogen group than in the vehicle group during the early light phase.
• No differences in c-Fos expression were noted between the groups during the early dark phase.
• The findings suggest that chronic oestrogen replacement may enhance suprachiasmatic nucleus activity, particularly during the light phase.

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