Conditioned taste aversion elicited in anaesthetized rats by scorpion venom.

Conditioned saccharin aversion was elicited in rats by the use of scorpion venom. After 15 min of saccharin drinking, groups of rats were injected with venom, Nembutal, LiCl or isotonic saline. Two groups were anaesthetized 10 min after saccharin drinking and injected with venom or with LiCl. During retention test saccharin aversion was observed in the venom and LiCl groups. It is concluded that anaesthesia does not prevent conditioned taste aversion engram formation.