The effect of ethanol on behavioral temperature regulation in mice

C. S. O'Connor, L. I. Crawshaw, A. Kosobud, R. C. Bedichek, J. C. Crabbe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mice were injected with 20% ethanol in 0.9% NaCl, or with 0.9% NaCl without ethanol during sessions of behavioral thermoregulation in a tubular temperature gradient (ambient temperature range approximately 9-38°C). Internal temperature was monitored with an implanted telemetry device. An imaging system recorded the position (selected temperature) of the mouse within the gradient every 5 sec. A dose of either 2.25 or 2.60 g ethanol/kg body wt. produced significantly lower body temperatures than control (NaCl) injections. The 2.60 g/kg dose produced significantly lower selectec temperatures than either the NaCl or 2.25 g/kg injections. Doses of 2.75 g ethanol/kg and above incapacitated the mice, precluding accurate behavioral thermoregulation. Utilizing a thermoregulatory index following experimental and control injections indicated that 2.25 or 2.60 g ethanol/kg leads to a decrease in the regulated temperature of mice.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)315-319
Number of pages5
JournalPharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior
Volume33
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1989

Keywords

  • Behavioral thermoregulation
  • Ethanol
  • Hypothermia
  • Mice
  • Temperature gradient
  • Thermoregulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biological Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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