Effects of preweanling ethanol odor exposure on ethanol preference

Preweaning exposure to a foreign odor has been shown to alter later responding to that odor. Early experience with ethanol odor may alter not only responding to ethanol odor, but also intake of ethanol solutions. The present study tested the effects of exposure to ethanol odor prior to weaning on ethanol odor preference and ethanol consumption. Sprague-Dawley-derived rats were exposed to the odor of 100% ethanol from postnatal day 1 to 22 in the home cage. An odor preference test was conducted on postnatal day 14 and a two-bottle ethanol intake lest was conducted after weaning. In both odor preference and intake tests, animals previously exposed to ethanol odor exhibited a greater preference for ethanol than controls. The results demonstrate that early experience with the odor of ethanol can increase ingestion of ethanol later in life. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.