Thirst and alcohol preference of inbred strains of mice.

Abstract

C57BL and RIII inbred strains of mice responded to 23-hr. total fluid deprivation with reduced preference for 10% solution of ethanol in water, when both alcohol solution and tap water were presented daily for 1 hr. in a 2-bottle choice situation. Restoration of lost body fluid, either by allowing 24 hr. ad-lib choice between alternative solutions or by intraperitoneal injection of Ringer''s solution, partially restored the preference for alcohol of C57BL mice but did not increase the preference of alcohol for RIII mice. Avoidance of ethanol, a dipsogenic drug, is considered an adaptive avoidance response in conditions of thirst. Avoidance once provoked is more permanent for RIII Ss and is possibly additionally augmented by stressful manipulations.