Self-selection of copper-containing diets by copper-deficient and overloaded rats

To determine the effect of copper status on the preference for copper-conta ining food, male Sprague-Dau ley rats were weaned to a copper-deficient, co pper-adequate or high-copper diet. Four weeks later, alterations in copper status were confirmed by measurement of liver copper concentrations. Rats ( n = 10) were then given the choice between a copper-adequate or a copper-re stricted diet of similar composition. Preference scores indicated that cont rol rats preferred copper-deficient food. Preferences of rats on the high-c opper diet were not different from control rats, suggesting that copper ove rload did not alter the pattern of selection. However, 7 of the 10 copper-d eficient rats ate 80% or more of their intake as copper-adequate food resul ting in preference scores that were significantly different from controls ( p < 0.03). This alteration in preference was corrected within 1 day of acce ss to copper-adequate food. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reser ved.