We have reported that normal rat urinary bladder possesses significant amounts of an aldehyde dehydrogenase (class 3 ALDH) expressed during hepatocarcinogenesis, but not detectable in normal liver. Changes in expression of both liver and bladder ALDH during N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN)-induced bladder carcinogenesis were studied. The ALDH phenotype was determined at intervals over 42 weeks by histochemical analysis, total ALDH activity assays and gel electrophoresis using propionaldehyde and NAD (P-NAD) which characterizes class 1 and 2 ALDH, or benzaldehyde and NADP (B-NADP) to determine class 3 ALDH. By total activity assays and gel electrophoresis, there was a significant decrease in bladder class 3 ALDH activity during weeks 5-15. Histochemical analysis clearly demonstrates changes in ALDH early in neoplastic development. Intense staining with B-NADP in regions of hyperplasia was first detectable at week 10. Staining in hyperplastic regions was accompanied by a significant decrease in ADLH in neighboring, apparently normal urothelium. As the urothelium became more abnormal, class 3 ALDH activity increased. By week 25, the bladder class 3 ALDH activity of BBN-treated animals was 2 times greater than the control group class 3 ALDH activity. Histochemically, all papillomas and carcinomas examined possessed class 3 ALDH. However, staining was heterogeneous within the lesions. Bladder neoplasm class 3 ALDH specific activity was greater than control group class 3 ALDH activity in 70% of papillomas and carcinomas. These results suggest events may be occurring in bladder similar to those in liver which alter expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase during carcinogenesis.