Conditioned taste aversion and specific need states in the rat.

In 3 experiments, a total of 151 female Wistar rats were allowed to consume either sucrose or saline prior to being made ill by injection of either insulin or formalin, or by exposure to X rays. A 2-bottle preference test between sucrose and saline revealed that formalin was an effective agent in conditioned aversions to sucrose but not to saline. Similarly, injections of insulin were effective in producing conditioned aversions to saline but not to sucrose. X-irradiation produced strong aversions to either solution. Results are discussed with regard to the specific need states that insulin and formalin produce. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)