SUCROSE CONSUMPTION AS AN HEDONIC MEASURE FOLLOWING CHRONIC UNPREDICTABLE MILD STRESS

The consumption of, and preference for, a rewarding 0.9% sucrose solut ion was examined in rats subjected chronically (8 wk) to a regimen of unpredictable mild stressors. Intake of sucrose was reduced in stresse d animals compared to controls after 3 wk. However, correction for bod y weight changes revealed no significant difference in sucrose consump tion between the groups. A comparison of the mean sucrose intakes of m atched low-weight rats, with low weight a function of either immaturit y or stress, failed to differentiate between the groups. Total sucrose consumption and total fluid intake correlated significantly with body weight of stressed animals and controls. Percentage preference for su crose solution did not differ between controls and stressed animals. I t is concluded that the validity and reliability of sucrose consumptio n as an hedonic measure within the context of exposure to chronic unpr edictable mild stress must be questioned.