Some Factors Which Influence Radiation-Conditioned Behavior of Rats

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Abstract
Radiation exposure can condition the behavior of rats towards stimuli associated with the exposure experience. These studies were made to determine whether the behavior response was dependent upon exposure of a specific locus within the animal or influenced by the endocrine state of the organism. Learned avoidance behavior in animals resulting from an association of radiation exposure and taste cues was investigated. It was found that localized X-ray exposure of the head, thorax, abdomen, or pelvis could serve as a motivating stimulus to condition a saccharin aversion in rats. The abdomen proved to be a region of special sensitivity although the response was not as pronounced as that following total body exposure for the same dose. Neither adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy prevented the development of the conditioned saccharin aversion following total body exposure. It is suggested that sensations triggered by gastric dysfunction may represent the stimuli through which radiation acts to condition behavior in animals.