SALINE APPETITE IN RATS AS A FUNCTION OF DRY FOOD INGESTION

Thirty-nine albino rats were deprived of food and water for 24 h. Group 1 was given water for 1 h, followed by 1 h of water and dry food; Group 2 was given 1 h of 0.9% saline followed by 1 h of 0.9% saline and food; Group 3 was given 1 h of both water and 0.9% saline followed by the addition of food to the two liquids for 1 h. First-hour and second-hour intakes of water and saline were measured. Results show that rats drank more 0.9% saline than water with a single bottle, with or without food; with double bottles rats drank more saline when no food was given; rats switched to water when food was given. Since rats eat less food when given 0.9% saline than when given water (Hsiao, 1967) the rats may have chosen water in order to eat more food. © 1969, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.