The effect of hypobaric hypoxia on taste neophobia in rats

Rats had access to water for 15 min per day. After an adaptation period of 14 days the animals were given water and apple juice on alternate days. In half of the animals the first presentation of apple juice was followed by a 15-min period of hypobaric hypoxia. Taste neophobia was found in both groups of animals. In the animals which were not made hypoxic considerable attenuation of this neophobia was seen during the second presentation. In the animals which were made hypoxic after the first presentation of apple juice, apple juice intake was significantly reduced during the following presentations.