Gustatory preferences in zinc deficient adult rats

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Abstract
Fluid consumption and preference behavior were evaluated as a function of dietary zinc content during adulthood. Dietary treatment of sixteen adult male rats was initiated 30 days prior to preference testing: eight rats were fed ad libitum a zinc-deficient diet and eight rats were match-fed a zincreplete diet. Preference testing was performed using a 96-hour, two bottle free-choice technique. Rats were exposed to each of the following tastant-containing solutions for successive 4-day periods: 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5×10−1 M sodium chloride; 1.0×10−2 M sucrose; 2.5×10−3 M hydrochloric acid, and 1.28×10−6 M quinine sulfate. The two groups had essentially equivalent weights prior to the dietary manipulation. The zinc-deficient rats weighed significantly less than replete rats throughout preference testing, but did not appear as physically debilitated as do weanling rats fed a zinc-deficient diet for equivalent durations. The deficient rats demonstrated increased preferences for most of the tastant solutions, accompanied by increased total volume intakes. These alterations were attributable to increases in tastant volume intake by the deficient rats while water intake remained normal. Results were interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that zinc deficiency decreases gustatory sensitivity; however, the etiology of this effect remains unclear.

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