Gonadal hormones contribute to alcohol consumption in response to exercise restriction

Stress is a response to environmental perturbation that results in a wide range of physiological and behavioral changes, which can include increased alcohol (EtOH) consumption. Biological sex is one factor that has been associated with differential stress sensitivity and risk for excessive drinking, possibly dependent on gonadal hormones. Our goal is to understand the potential contributions of estrogen and testosterone to voluntary EtOH consumption during stress. We measure free choice self-administration by C57BL/6J mice in a modified drinking in the dark paradigm, which for some animals includes stress introduced by manipulating access to a running wheel.
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research