Rat intravenous self-administration, for one compound

Intech infusion swivels, tethers, balance arms and catheters are compatible with a range of operant behavior systems for intravenous self-administration studies. In these systems, a lever press or nose poke will trigger a syringe pump to deliver an IV dose.

Vascular Access Buttons™ are ideal for these addiction studies because the combined tether/IV line can be simply and aseptically connected or disconnected when moving the animal into or out of the operant chamber. Animals with Vascular Access Buttons™ may be group housed when not on study by using the protective aluminum cap. Patency is excellent because the VAB is closed system and the catheter is subcutaneous; researchers have reported rats with patent catheters after several months and even after a year.

Operant chamber systems are available from the following manufacturers:

• Med Associates, Inc. (components listed are compatible with this system)
• Lafayette Instrument
• Coulbourn Instruments (Harvard Apparatus)
• Panlab SL (Harvard Apparatus)