Absence of Correlation Between the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat's Exaggerated Preference for Sweet and Alcohol Drinking Solutions

We tested the hypothesis that the exaggerated preference of the spontaneously hypertensive rat of the Okamoto strain (SHR) for alcohol-containing drinking solutions is due to its exaggerated preference for the purported sweet subtaste of alcohol. To do, this we examined in SHR (and Brown Norway (BN) controls) whether preferences for alcohol and glucose-drinking solutions were correlated. No significant correlation was found between alcohol and glucose preference in either the SHR or BN. We conclude therefore that the exaggerated alcohol preference of the SHR is not due to an exaggerated preference for the purported sweet subtaste of alcohol.