Age differences in ethanol-induced hypothermia and impairment in mice

This experiment examined the effects of ethanol on body temperature and ethanol-induced impairment among three different age groups (8 months, 18 months, and 28 months) of C57BL/6NNIA male mice. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 3 g/kg ethanol or an equivalent volume of saline. Body temperature, blood ethanol levels, and time when the righting response (RR) was lost and regained were measured. Body temperature also was measured prior to injection and at 30 and 120 min post-injection The aged mice showed less ethanol-induced hypothermia but were impaired longer as compared to the younger mice. Blood ethanol levels at loss and regaining of the RR were lower for old mice than the younger mice. Body temperature for the youngest group was lower at each time of measurement as compared to the older groups. Age differences in body temperature prior to ethanol or saline injection were small and nonsignificant.