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Behavioral Differences Between C57BL/6J × FVB/NJ and C57BL/6J × NZB/B1NJ F1 Hybrid Mice: Relation to Control of Ethanol Intake

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Abstract

C57BL/6J × FVB/NJ F1 (B6 × FVB) mice consume more alcohol than C57BL/6J × NZB/B1NJ F1 (B6 × NZB) mice and this high alcohol consumption is stable after abstinence whereas B6 × NZB show reduced consumption, thus providing models of Sustained Alcohol Preference (SAP) and Reduced Alcohol Preference (RAP). In female hybrids, we assessed several behavioral responses to define behaviors which might predict SAP and RAP. B6 × FVB exhibited less severe ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion and were less sensitive to ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex than B6 × NZB. Both hybrids demonstrated ethanol-induced place preference and a low ethanol withdrawal severity. We found that these hybrids differ in their sensitivity to the aversive and sedative, but not rewarding, effects of ethanol. Results of elevated plus maze, mirror chamber, and locomotor tests reveal B6 × FVB mice are less anxious and more active than B6 × NZB mice. Results obtained offer insights about factors that determine SAP and RAP in these new genetic models of alcohol consumption.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Igor Ponomarev for many helpful discussions and Marni Martinez, Jennifer Stokes, and Danielle Walker for assistance in animal husbandry and data collection. This research was supported by the Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism Consortium Grant AA13520, and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Grants AA06399-S and AA16424.

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  1. Waggoner Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research, Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A4800, Austin, TX, 78712-0159, USA

    A. R. Ozburn, R. A. Harris & Y. A. Blednov

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  1. A. R. Ozburn
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  2. R. A. Harris
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  3. Y. A. Blednov
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Correspondence to A. R. Ozburn.

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Edited by Stephen Maxson.

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Ozburn, A.R., Harris, R.A. & Blednov, Y.A. Behavioral Differences Between C57BL/6J × FVB/NJ and C57BL/6J × NZB/B1NJ F1 Hybrid Mice: Relation to Control of Ethanol Intake. Behav Genet 40, 551–563 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-010-9357-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-010-9357-x

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