Abstract
Formation of the taste reaction of preference-rejection of a sweet solution was studied in males and females of Wistar rats weaned at the age of 17 (group 1), 21 (group 2), 26 (group 3), and 30 days (group 4). During 35 days the animals maintained in individual cages were allowed to choose between the 0.2% saccharin solution and water. It has been shown that at the beginning of the testing period the most pronounced neophobia was characteristic of females in the groups 1 and 2 and of males in the group 2. Analysis of data for the whole testing period indicates that in females of the groups 1 and 4 the saccharin consumption level is higher than in males. On the contrary, in the groups 2 and 3 the males exceeded the females by this parameter. The same regularity was also revealed in comparing data on a relative level of the saccharin solution consumption when determined as a percentage of the total volume of fluid consumed for 24 h. Thus, the age of weaning has an essential effect on sex dimorphism in formation of the preference–rejection taste reaction in rats.
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