Thirst Level During the Consumption of Flavored Water: Effects on Subsequent Preference

摘要

Conceivably, the edema produced by laser irradiation may produce a state of thirst, but there is no reasonable way to test for this in animals. Usually thirst is detected by an increase in the amount of water rewarded work an animal will do, but the laser irradiation also seems to interfere with effective performance so as to drown out any presumed increased motivation for water. Thus, an attempt was made to discover if thirst could be detected by some other method. Rats were allowed to drink water of one flavor while thirsty and a second flavor while satiated for water. They then were given a choice between these two flavors. During the choice test, there was an increment in the preference for the flavor of the water which was consumed while the rats were thirsty. It now is possible to evaluate whether a state of thirst is created by laser injury.