Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Behavioral Differences Between C57BL/6J × FVB/NJ and C57BL/6J × NZB/B1NJ F1 Hybrid Mice: Relation to Control of Ethanol Intake


C57BL/6J × FVB/NJ F1 (B6 × FVB) mice consume more alcohol than C57BL/6J × NZB/B1NJ F1 (B6 × NZB) mice and this high alcohol consumption is stable after abstinence whereas B6 × NZB show reduced consumption, thus providing models of Sustained Alcohol Preference (SAP) and Reduced Alcohol Preference (RAP).

In female hybrids, we assessed several behavioral responses to define behaviors which might predict SAP and RAP.

B6 × FVB exhibited less severe ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion and were less sensitive to ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex than B6 × NZB.

Both hybrids demonstrated ethanol-induced place preference and a low ethanol withdrawal severity.

We found that these hybrids differ in their sensitivity to the aversive and sedative, but not rewarding, effects of ethanol.

Results of elevated plus maze, mirror chamber, and locomotor tests reveal B6 × FVB mice are less anxious and more active than B6 × NZB mice.

Results obtained offer insights about factors that determine SAP and RAP in these new genetic models of alcohol consumption.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: ozburna@gmail.com
____________________________________________