Saccharin aversion in the rat following adrenalectomy

Changes in saccharin preference as a function of concentration were studied in rats after either adrenalectomy of sham surgery. A 48 hr two-bottle preference test was used. Under two different sets of testing conditions, adrenalectomized animals rejected saccharin solutions at concentrations that were highly acceptible to controls and did not show an appetitive behavior towards andy of the concentrations tested. This aversion pattern persisted even when preference tests were conducted for as long as 10 days. However, it was abolished when the adrenalectomized rats wre exposed to saccharin for 6 days prior to surgery, or when they were administered the glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Results are discussed with respect to the effects of adrenal hormones on sensory systems and to taste-aversion learning.