Presentation Details
| Effects of thermal conditioning on thermal-taste preferences in mice Kyle T.Zumpano, Christian H.Lemon. University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA |
Abstract
In ongoing work, we have found that mice can learn to prefer licking fluids at select temperatures following appetitive conditioning. It is unknown if this conditioning can interact with and affect taste preferences. Here, we studied the influence of appetitive thermal conditioning on bitter taste avoidance and the impact of TRPM8 ion channels in learning. To condition a preference for 30°C, C57BL/6J (n = 9; B6) and TRPM8 gene deficient (n = 9; M8-/-) mice were proffered 30°C 16% glucose solutions and 15°C water on alternating days over 8 days in a custom thermo-lickometer capable of controlling fluid temperature during brief access trials. A second control group (n = 9; B6, n = 9; M8-/-) was used that received water instead of glucose at 30°C. Then, both groups were proffered 15° and 30°C 0.3 mM quinine solutions in brief access tests. For M8-/- mice, a two-way ANOVA showed there was a statistically significant interaction between treatment group and temperature (F(1,16) = 6.87, p = 0.019). M8 -/- mice in the control group avoided 30°C quinine and increased licking to 15°C while mice in the treatment group were indifferent to 15° and 30°C quinine. This suggests that appetitive conditioning of 30°C decreased aversion to quinine in M8-/- mice. For B6 mice, a two-way ANOVA showed there was no significant interaction between treatment group and temperature (F(1,16) = 0.93, p > 0.5). Both the control and treatment groups licked more quinine at 15° than 30°C. This analysis is preliminary as additional cohorts will be added. These data suggest that appetitive conditioning of a temperature is sufficient to increase preference for an aversive taste stimulus when presented at that temperature in M8-/- mice.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.