Effect of exposure to high concentrations of toluene on ethanol preference of laboratory rats

Male and female Holtzman Sprague Dawley rats were given 10-minute exposures to high concentrations of toluene twice a week at 10–30 days of age. The rate of acquisition of ethanol preference for these rats did not differ significantly from litter-mate sham exposed controls. Once ethanol preference curves were established, the rats were exposed daily over a 5-day period to high concentrations of toluene. An increase in ethanol intake occurred in most of the rats irrespective of early toluene exposures at 10–30 days of age.