The effect of ethanol and cold-adaptation on the survival of guinea pigs in severe cold.

An acute ethanol dose of 2 g/kg shortened the survival time at -20 degrees C of guinea pigs both adapted to the cold and those reared in the warm, but no significant difference was observed between the adapted and non-adapted groups. Long-term ethanol treatment of 2 g/kg/day for 4 weeks, lengthened the survival time of the guinea pigs reared at room temperature, but did not affect the survival of the cold-adapted animals. The acute dose of 2 g/kg shortened the survival time of the guinea pigs which had received the 4-week ethanol treatment and had been reared in the warm, but did not have the same effect on the cold-adapted animals. The improved survival rate at severe exposure acquired by adaptation to the cold was abolished by chronic alcohol administration.