Biological similarities and differences between rats genetically different in alcohol preference

Abstract

This paper is an inventory of some behavioural, biochemical and pharmacological similarities and differences between two inbred strains of Wistar rats differing in voluntary consumption of ethanol, namely: UChA and UChB with low and high preferences respectively for ethanol under conditions involving free choice between a 10% (v/v) ethanol solution and distilled water. The following strain differences were observed: ethanol consumption (UChA<UChB); total water consumption (UChA<UChB); solid food consumption (UChA>UChB); rate of recovery of ethanol label in expired CO2 (UChA<UChB); oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde by brain homogenates (UChA>UChB); acetaldehyde disposal by brain homogenates (UChA<UChB); ethanol (90 mmol/kg, i.p.) sleeping-time (UChA<UChB); chronic and acute tolerance to ethanol (UChA developed it, whereas UChB did not); lethal doses of ethanol (UChA>UChB); recovery rate of the label of gluconate in expired CO2 (UChA<UChB); recovery rate of the label of fructose in ex