Sham ingestion of alcohol in rats

Sprague-Dawley rats were surgically fitted with gastric fistulas and their intakes of 6% ethanol measured first with the fistula closed (normal drinking) and then on three test sessions with the fistula open (sham drinking). The rats were water deprived prior to the 1-h test sessions. On the second and third sham drinking sessions, intakes of alcohol were significantly increased above those in both the closed and first open fistula session. The effectiveness of the sham ingestion preparation to minimize absorption was shown by the much lower blood alcohol levels in sham compared with real drinking rats. Thus, reduction of the postingestive effects of alcohol leads to an acquisition of increased oral consumption. The similarities and differences between sham intakes of water and alcohol are discussed.