Self-administration of ethanol by genetically heterogeneous mice (RU:NCS): relationship to sensitivity and tolerance

The interrelationships among sensitivity, tolerance and the self-administration of ethanol were studied in a non-inbred strain of mice. Blood ethanol concentration at the time of righting-loss following a hypnotic dose of ethanol (3.5 g/kg) was measured before and after 8 weeks exposure to a choice of water and ethanol water drinking solutions. The inter-test difference between blood ethanol concentration at loss of righting indicated that self-administration resulted in chronic tolerance. A correlational analysis indicated chronic tolerance, but not sensitivity, was positively correlated with ethanol intake and preference.