Circadian timing of ethanol exposure exerts enduring effects on subsequent ad libitum consumption in C57 mice.
BACKGROUND
There is a daily rhythm in the voluntary intake of ethanol in mice, with greatest consumption in the early night and lowest intake during the day. The role of daily timing of ethanol exposure on the development and control of long-term ethanol self-administration has been neglected. The present study examines these issues using C57BL/6J mice.


METHODS
Mice were repeatedly exposed to 10% ethanol for 2 hours early in the night or day for several weeks. Subsequently, ethanol was available at the opposite time (Expt 1) or 24 hours daily (Expts 1 and 2). Lick sensors recorded the patterns of drinking activity in Experiment 2.


RESULTS
Mice exposed to ethanol during the night drink more than mice exposed during the day. Prior history did not affect ethanol intake when the schedule was reversed. Under 24-hour exposure conditions, mice with a history of drinking during the night consumed significantly more than mice drinking during the day. The circadian patterns of drinking were not altered.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that the daily timing of ethanol exposure exerts enduring effects of self-administration of ethanol in mice. Understanding how circadian rhythms regulate ethanol consumption may be valuable for modifying subsequent intake.
Trujillo
Jennifer L
JL
Department of Psychology, University of California (JLT, MRG), San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA. jltrujillo@ucsd.edu
Roberts
Amanda J
AJ
Gorman
Michael R
MR
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation
D000431:Ethanol