[Indicators of spontaneous behavior of rhesus monkeys with short-term course alcohol self-administration under free...

To analyze spontaneous behavior in 36 male rhesus macaques during formation of alcoholic motivation under free choice.

The model composed the initiation stage with the provision of an aqueous ethanol solution of increasing concentration from 1 to 4% with a sweetener and restricted access to the tap water supply and the subsequent stage of the formation of alcoholic motivation with a free choice between 4% ethanol solution without sweetener and water. The behavior was recorded by the «One-Zero» method with ethogram compiled in accordance with the behavioral peculiarities of rhesus monkeys when housed individually. Three subgroups of high, medium and low-level ethanol consumption were distinguished.

In the subgroup of high ethanol consumption median consumption was 1.70 g/kg/day at initiation (p<0.05, compared to other subgroups) and 1.79 g/kg/day (p<0.05) at free choice stage. Animals of high consumption subgroup had significantly higher frequency being at the cage bottom and in a sitting posture. We observed significant changes in a number of indicators of spontaneous behavior depending on the level of ethanol consumption, which included displacement behavior, stereotypic behavior and posture of animals. In the high consumption subgroup, there was a significant increase in the frequency of stereotypic behavior, atypical behavior, being on four legs, as well as a decrease in the frequency of being at the back side of the cage and of displacement behavior. At the same time, the inhibitory effect of ethanol on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system was revealed.

In the model of free choice alcohol self-administration rhesus monkeys demonstrate a significant change in a number of indicators of spontaneous behavior depending on the level of ethanol consumption, which includes displacement, stereotypic behaviors and animal posture.