ALCOHOL-INTOXICATION AND WITHDRAWAL IN INBRED STRAINS OF MICE - BEHAVIORAL AND ENDOCRINE STUDIES

C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, and DBA/2J male mice were tested for withdrawal reaction after 5 days on a liquid alcohol diet. DBA/2 mice showed the most severe withdrawal reaction as determined by convulsion which peaked at 5-6 hr after withdrawal. In contrast, C57BL mice exhibited no seizures and BALB/c mice were intermediate in the withdrawal reaction. Blood alcohol levels were stabilized in DBA/2 mice, showing high morning and night levels, whereas C57BL and BALB/c mice had moderately high alcohol levels at night, but very low levels in the morning. Pretreatment with alcohol greatly increased the intake of liquid alcohol diet in all genotypes, thus raising blood ethanol levels. The plasma corticosterone levels were significantly elevated in alcohol-consuming DBA/2 mice and the hormone levels further increased during the period corresponding to the peak withdrawal reaction. C57BL mice demonstrated no significant increase in plasma corticosterone while on the alcohol diet or during the withdrawal period. © 1979 Academic Press, Inc.