[Major histocompatibility system of the mouse (H-2) and body reaction to ethanol]

A study was made of the response to ethanol of 2 pairs of the congenic resistant (CR) mouse strains, B10.R107, B10.RIII and A/Sn, A.SW. Upon a single intraperitoneal injection of ethanol in a dose of 4 g/kg bw CR strains manifested pronounced ethanol narcosis, while doses of 1 and 2.5 g/kg produced marked locomotor reaction. As regards these tests B10.RIII and A.SW mice were more susceptible to alcohol while B10.R107 mice were more resistant. The changes in locomotor activity induced by ethanol were dose-dependent in all the strains under study. It was disclosed in the course of chronic alcoholization that B10.RIII and A.SW mice consume less amounts of 10% ethanol. Mouse susceptibility to a single ethanol injection recorded from the duration of alcoholic narcosis and locomotion was found to correlate negatively with the ethanol consumption rate. The participation of the H-2 system in the response to ethanol is discussed.