[Possibilities for behavior correction in a learned ethanol preference in female and male white rats]

Correction of behavior of rats preferring for a long time ethanol but not water may be performed using the agents enhancing sexual activity of animals of both sexes: apomorphine (1 mg/kg), bromocriptine (1 mg/kg) and yohimbine (4 mg/kg). Normalization of behavior of the rats manifested by not only a decrease of total ethanol consumption but also by a change of alcohol preference. Bromocriptine exerted the predominant effect on females, and yohimbine on males. Apomorphine was effective in the animals of both sexes but its efficacy was higher in females. The agents produce opposite changes depending on the animal sex in ethanol level during the withdrawal period, the rate of ethanol elimination in the blood at its administration in a test dose and the reaction of self-stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus. Female rats proved to be more sensitive to the drugs' effects related to changes in ethanol metabolism rate. Male animals were more responsive to the effects due to changes in the positive reinforcement system.