Ethanol and nicotine consumption and preference in transgenic mice overexpressing the bovine growth hormone gene.

Transgenic mice overexpressing the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase/bovine growth hormone (PEPCK/bGH) hybrid gene and normal (nontransgenic) littermate controls (10 males + 10 females/group) were given access to tapwater and an ascending series of concentrations of ethanol (1.0-22.0%), then a similar ascending series of concentrations of nicotine (1.0-40.0 micrograms/ml), in a two-bottle choice test. Male transgenic mice consumed more and exhibited greater preferences for ethanol and nicotine than control males; transgenic females consumed less and showed lower preferences for ethanol, but not nicotine, than control females. These results suggest that chronic exposure to high levels of bGH may modulate the rewarding effects of ethanol and nicotine in mice in a gender-specific fashion.