The effects of ethanol on exploration in DBA/2 and C57Bl/6 mice.
The effect of ethanol (0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 g/kg) was assessed on the behavior of DBA/2 and C57Bl/6 mice in a holeboard test. Ethanol caused a dose-related decrease in the locomotor activity of the C57Bl/6 mice, and the highest dose also significantly decreased exploratory head-dipping. In contrast ethanol significantly increased the locomotor activity of DBA/2 mice. Only the lowest dose, however, significantly increased exploratory head-dipping, and the highest dose caused a marked decrease in exploration. These results emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the effects of ethanol on locomotor and exploratory activities.
D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D013045:Species Specificity
D000431:Ethanol