Conditioned aversions produced by subcutaneous injection of formalin in rats.

Abstract

Discusses recent experiments in which injections of formalin have been used to produce sodium appetite in rats. In many of these studies, the formalin was administered directly after the rats had been drinking sodium-containing solutions. 3 experiments were conducted with naive male wistar rats (n = 54). Results show that formalin causes conditioned aversions to specific flavors ingested just prior to its administration. Results further indicate that when formalin injections directly follow the intake of saline solutions, any subsequent increased tendency to work for saline is probably significantly depressed due to a formalin-induced aversion to the saline. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)