Taste aversion by the intraperitoneal administration of toluene and benzene in rats

Abstract

Water-deprived rats allowed aceess to 0.25% saccharin during 10 min foIlowed by an intraperitoneal injection of either toluene (Exp. 1) or benzene (Exp. 2) acqúired a dose­dependent conditioned aversion to the saccharin taste, whereas control groups receiving pairings of either saccharin and saline, saccharin and oil (solvent vehicle), or water and the solvent failed to develop the aversion to saccharin. It is concluded that solvents, through the intraperitoneal route, function as unconditioned stimuli in the conditioned taste aversion paradigm.