Ethanol-induced inhibition of the drinking response to hypertonic saline in the rat.

The effects of ethanol, in doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 ml/100 g, on the drinking responses of rats to subcutaneous injection of hypertonic saline (1 mEq/100 g) were examined. Rats were also studied for the effects of ethanol (0.1 ml/100 g) on drinking responses to intraperitoneal injection of dextran (20% w/v, 1.5 ml/100 g). After injection of hypertonic saline, rats given ethanol drank less than those administered water or isocalorific glucose. Ethanol inhibited the drinking responses to hypertonic saline dose-dependently with higher doses having a greater inhibitory effect. Ethanol administration had no effect on water consumption stimulated by intraperitoneal injection of dextran. It is concluded that administration of ethanol to rats has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on thirst and fluid consumption stimulated by injection of hypertonic saline but is without effect on thirst and drinking stimulated by intraperitoneal injection of dextran.