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Effects of Time‐of‐Day and Photoperiod Phase Shifts on Voluntary Ethanol Consumption in Rats
Author(s) -
Gauvin D. V.,
Baird T. J.,
Vanecek S. A.,
Briscoe R. J.,
Vallett M.,
Holloway F. A.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1997.tb03845.x
Subject(s) - photoperiodism , turnover , circadian rhythm , wheel running , endocrinology , medicine , zoology , ethanol , shift work , alcohol consumption , chemistry , alcohol , biology , biochemistry , psychiatry , management , economics
Two experiments were conducted to examine the circadian fluctuations in voluntary ethanol (ETOH) consumption in male Sprague‐Dawley rats conditioned to consume ETOH in their homecage and exposed to photoperiod phase shifts equivalent to those experienced by humans. Using a maintenance concentration of 20% w/v ETOH, changes in homecage drinking in 42 rats were assessed after photoperiod phase shifts similar to those inducing “jet lag” in humans and after experimenter‐induced “hangover.” A single 8‐hr photoperiod phase advance significantly increased ETOH intake for three consecutive days, and a single photoperiod phase‐delay increased intake only on the day of the phase shift. Acute ETOH withdrawal significantly reduced the voluntary consumption of ETOH for two consecutive days. In a second group of 30 rats maintained to consume a lower concentration of 10% w/v ETOH, the long‐term effects of “shift lag” initiated by repeated photoperiod phase shifting similar to those experienced by humans working under a rotating work schedule were examined. Significant increases in intake occurred over the 2‐month testing period. The significant alterations in voluntary intake initiated by the shift work schedule was related to the significant changes in blood alcohol concentrations.