CHANGE IN THE HEDONIC VALUE OF AN AVERSIVE STIMULUS IN THE PRESSENCE OF A PRE-EXPOSED ODOR

KAMENETZKY, GISELLE; SUÁREZ, ANDREA; PAUTASSI, RICARDO; MUSTACA, ALBA; NIZHNIKOV, MICHAEL

PHYSIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015 vol. 148 p. 51 - 57

0031-9384

Rats exhibit a sensitive period from the time of birth until postnatal day 10 during which they develop preferences for odors even if those odors are paired with a moderately aversive stimulus. It is still unknown wether pre-exposure to an odor produces alterations on intake responses of basic tastants, and on other patterns that indicate a change in the hedonic value of reward, such as nipple grasping behavior. The current study assessed the effect of pre-exposure to an odor immediately after birth on intake responses of appetitive and aversive tastants. The objectives were to assess if 3 hour old rats adjust their behaviors to obtain different values of appetitive and aversive rewards in the presence of a familier odor. Specifically we wanted to determine whether the intake of saccharin or quinine, administered through the artificial nipple, increases in the presence of the familiar odor. Results showed that 3 hour old rats differentially respond to two different concentrations of saccharin and two concentrations of quinine. In the presence of the pre-exposed odor newborn rats increased intake and grasp responses to the artificial nipple containing quinine. This effect disappeared with a higher concentration of quinine. These results suggest that the pre-exposed odor generated a change in the hedonic value of the aversive reward.