Early exposure to sugars influences the sugar preference of the adult rat.

Female rats were maintained on either a High Sucrose or High Glucose diet during gestation and lactation. Their pups were continued on the same diet as their dam until they were 42 days of age; thereafter all animals were maintained on laboratory chow. From 21-84 days of age, each rat was given a weekly two-choice preference test between the High Sucrose and High Glucose diets. Rats that were fed the High Sucrose diet throughout their early development had heavier body weights and a greater preference for the High Sucrose diet beginning on Day 63 than did the rats that were fed the High Glucose diet. Rats fed the High Glucose diet demonstrated a greater preference for the High Glucose diet during adulthood. These data indicate that early dietary experience can modify the rat's subsequent preference for sugars.