Effects of a conditioned taste aversion on schedule-induced polydipsia

Rats that became Polydipsic on water under a FFI-60 food schedule were switched to a saccharin solution. After drinking saccharin, the Ss were exposed to ionizing radiation. Although this procedure produces a marked aversion to saccharin in thirst motivated rats following a single exposure, repeated pairings of the saccharin solution and ionizing radiation were needed to reduce the high drinking levels generated by the intermittent food schedule. These findings suggest that schedule-induced polydipsia is a strong motivational state.