CARBOHYDRATE-CONDITIONED ODOR PREFERENCES IN RATS

The effectiveness of odor cues to support nutrient-conditioned flavor preferences in rats was studied. When the rats drank fluid, the CS+ od or was paired with intragastric (IG) infusions of Polycose, and the CS - odor with IG water. In Experiment 1, rats trained with almond and an ise odors presented with plain drinking water failed to acquire a CSodor preference. In contrast, rats in Experiment 2 formed a strong ave rsion to anise (or almond) paired with lithium chloride, which indicat ed that the odors were distinguishable to the rats. Experiment 3 showe d that providing unique tastes (bitter or sour) in combination with th e odors during training potentiated odor conditioning. The rats displa yed a strong preference for the odor+taste CS+ and for the odor compon ent alone. Experiment 4 showed that with another pair of odors (pepper mint and vanilla), CS+ preferences could be conditioned in the absence of taste cues during training. These results demonstrate that rats ca n acquire strong nutrient-conditioned odor preferences.