Specificity of sodium chloride aversion of hypertensive rats

Abstract

Rats made hypertensive by encapsulation of both kidneys with latex envelopes manifest a relative NaCl aversion if given choice between water and .15 m NaCl solution to drink. The specificity of this aversion was tested by offering hypertensive rats choice between salt solutions, other than NaCl, and water. It was observed that hypertensive rats manifested aversions for KCl, Na₂SO₄, LiCl and Na saccharin which were similar in character to the NaCl aversion. As soon as hypertensive rats were able to differentiate between any of these salt solutions and distilled water offered simultaneously, they rejected the salt solutions in favor of water. These animals never ingested more of any salt solution used than water. With the exception of the Na saccharin solutions, normal rats ingested more salt solution than water and rejected salt solution only at concentrations 3–10 times above preference threshold levels. Hence, it would appear that the NaCl aversion manifested by hypertensive rats is not specific, but part of a general salt aversion.