Low-protein diet increases sexual behaviour and response to electric shock in adult male rats

Adult male rats were maintained for 4 weeks on an 8% protein diet or a 22% protein diet. During the fifth week the two groups were assessed for sexual behavior, flinch and jump thresholds, and noise-elicited startle habituation. Rats on the low protein diet exhibited significantly more mounting with thrusts and were sensitive to lower levels of shock as indicated by flinch threshold differences. Low protein rats did not differ with respect to jump thresholds or startle response habituation. After a rehabilitation diet the differences in sexual behavior were no longer apparent.