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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
A Method for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Ethanol in Rats without Water Deprivation, Saccharin Fading or Extended Access Training
Published on: January 29, 2017
Oral chronic ethanol administration to rodents by agar gel diet
I Bykov1, M Palmén, L Piirainen
1National Public Health Institute, Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research Center, POB 33, 00251 Helsinki, Finland.
Background:
Chronic ethanol administration to rodents requires specially designed equipment and is labor intensive. Here we report a new procedure.
Method:
A commercial liquid diet preparation was made into a gel by addition of 0.5% agar. The gel, containing 5.3% ethanol, was offered in Falcon tubes equipped with a feeding opening.
Results:
The gel consumption by C57/Bl mice resulted in high blood ethanol levels (average 43 mM). After 6 weeks, marked liver steatosis and significantly increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels had developed.
Conclusions:
Administration of ethanol in a nutritionally adequate gel provides a simple method for studies on chronic ethanol effects in rodents.
