SYMPTOM-DEPENDENT TASTE-AVERSION INDUCED BY AN ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDE IN THE BROWN-RAT (RATTUS-NORVEGICUS)

In a series of 3 experiments with different experimental paradigms, fe eding patterns of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) were monitored i n 2-choice feeding tests after intubation with a sublethal dose of an anticoagulant rodenticide. We report for the first time that contrary to accepted wisdom, anticoagulants can induce taste aversions. Further more, we report behavioral symptoms within the Ist day after dosing. O ur data suggest that the taste aversion is induced through an inhibiti on of the vitamin K cycle and is transient, attenuating over the same period as the levels of vitamin K-dependent proteins return to normal. Because the taste aversion is expressed most strongly when symptoms a re most pronounced and is not expressed after symptoms have disappeare d, we term this novel form of control symptom-dependent taste aversion .