**5. Conclusions**

We conclude that, in laboratory animal models, GM and CM are highly palatable when presented as liquids and as components of solid diets. Diet choice paradigms reveal preference for GM over CM in mice and rats belonging to different age groups. Feeding studies and analyses of gene expression in the feeding-relevant brain circuit point to feeding reward as the main factor underlying preference for GM. While the current studies draw on the laboratory animal experimental approaches, they have a translational impact relevant to our understanding of the consequences of GM consumption in humans. This outcome is particularly important as, globally, likely more people drink GM than CM. GM owes its popularity to the fact that goats can thrive in diverse and changing environmental conditions, and that GM-based products are regarded as a gourmet food and health benefits of consuming GM have been defined [13]. Here we show that acceptance of GM is high and that GM is even slightly preferred over CM. Therefore, GM can be considered as both a nutritious and palatable choice for individuals at various age groups that incorporate milk in their diets.

**Author Contributions:** A.K., C.G.P., A.S.L. and P.K.O. designed the studies. A.K., E.L.W., S.N.G. and L.K.M. conducted feeding studies and analyzed the data. A.K. and E.L.W. performed PCR studies and analyzed the results. A.S.L., E.A.C., C.G.P. and P.K.O. aided in interpretation of results. A.K., E.L.W., A.S.L., E.A.C., C.G.P. and P.K.O. co-wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received support from Callaghan Innovation, New Zealand.

**Conflicts of Interest:** C.G.P. and E.A.C. are employees of Dairy Goat Co-operative Ltd., and A.K.'s fellowship is supported by the Dairy Goat Co-operative Ltd.
