Sexual dimorphism in classical conditioning? Sex differences in neophobia, latent inhibition, generalization, and extinction for rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a conditioned taste aversion preparation irrespective of housing conditions.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess possible sex differences and a potential impact of social housing conditions for some Pavlovian conditioning effects in a conditioned taste aversion preparation with rats. The results of Experiment 1 suggest sex differences in neophobia, latent inhibition, and generalization. Specifically, for females, neophobia, and generalization appeared to be stronger while latent inhibition seemed to be attenuated. Experiment 2 confirmed these sex differences in neophobia and generalization, while also revealing slower extinction in males. Experiment 3 provided evidence for the same sex differences in neophobia and generalization, even when a perceptual learning effect was in operation following pre-exposures to the test stimulus. No effects of social housing conditions were found in either Experiment 1 or Experiment 2. In general, these findings appear to support the hypothesis of sexual dimorphism in Pavlovian conditioning, encouraging a systematic approach to the topic by means of further research.

Behavior and Fos activation reveal that male and female rats differentially assess affective valence during CTA learning and expression

“…This provides an opportunity to understand neural processes by which this decision-making occurs. Animal studies of sex differences in CTA are mixed but tend to report that females develop less CTA than males [17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. While this seems to be discordant with the human situation, careful reviews of sex differences in varying models of classical conditioning suggest that in situations involving stress, fear, or aversive stimulation, including conditioned taste aversion, males and females do not show quantitative differences in responding but utilize different strategies [12,18,19].…”

Evaluation of Parameters Which Influence Voluntary Ingestion of Supplements in Rats

“…In the voluntary acceptance of supplements, a key issue is the fact that rodents have a natural neophobia, and recent data indicate that this may be modulated by sex and age [12]. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate several factors that may influence the voluntary ingestion of a novel food in rats and refine protocols for supplement administration.…”