Stress and ethanol-induced hypothermia.

Three experiments examined the effects of three stressors on the hypothermic response to IP injection of ethanol in rats. Although all three stressors elicited hyperthermia in the absence of ethanol, only electric footshock reduced ethanol hypothermia. Handling/rectal-probing and bright, flashing light enhanced ethanol hypothermia. Type of cage floor (solid vs. grid) affected overall magnitude of ethanol hypothermia, but did not affect handling-induced enhancement of ethanol hypothermia. It is suggested that events which trigger release of endogenous opioids may enhance ethanol hypothermia. This kind of ethanol-stress interaction has important implications for studies of the acute and chronic effects of ethanol, including studies of learned tolerance. It may also have implications for understanding the impact of stress on voluntary consumption of ethanol.