Intravenous self-administration of ethanol and acetaldehyde by rats.

Fisher strain rats were allowed to self-administer 2, 6, and 18 microM/kg/infusion of ethanol and acetaldehyde into the jugular vein for 22 to 28 days. Thirty-three percent of the rats self-administered 18 microM/kg/infusion of ethanol. Thirty-three, 40, and 33 percent of the rats initiated self-administration of 2, 6, and 18 microM/kg/infusion of acetaldehyde, respectively. It is suggested that acetaldehyde may possess stronger reinforcing effects than ethanol in intravenous self-administration by rats.