Figure 2.
Summary of the effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) upon alcohol intake and preference. During the first 24 h of alcohol availability, mice subjected to our UCMS procedures consumed a marginally higher total volume of fluid (A) and a significantly larger volume of water (B), compared to mice subjected to our control procedures (Control). (C) During this time, group differences were not observed in the dose-response function for alcohol preference, however (D) UCMS mice consumed a greater amount of both 10% and 20% alcohol, relative to controls. When averaged across the 5 days of alcohol availability, there was no group difference in the total volume consumed (E) or in water intake (F). In contrast, UCMS mice exhibited a greater average preference for (G), and intake of (H), 20% alcohol. n=12/group. +p<0.05 vs. Control (t-tests).