The effect of ethanol on behavioral temperature regulation in mice.
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 degrees 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 selected 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 to compare the responses 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.
O'Connor
C S
CS
Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Portland State University, OR 97207.
Crawshaw
L I
LI
Kosobud
A
A
Bedichek
R C
RC
Crabbe
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000431:Ethanol