Changes in Open-Field Behavior following Short-Term Alcohol Ingestion by Rats

Abstract

24 adult male Wistar rats were reduced to 70% of their free-feeding body weight and then randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. The former was placed on a liquid diet consisting of alcohol plus Sustagen for 4 2-day periods interspersed with 3 2-day periods of a liquid diet containing Sucrose plus Sustagen. The latter group which was pair fed with the experimental group received the latter diet only. An 8-day period followed in which all animals were fed their normal laboratory diet ad lib. All rats were subsequently tested for differences in activity and defecation in an open field for 15 min. per day every other day for 3 days. The results showed that short-term alcohol ingestion can lead to residual behavioral changes, an enhancement of the activating effects of novel stimuli on locomotor activity which were independent of emotional responding or nutritional deficiencies.