Effect of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine on dose-dependent mouse strain differences in locomotor activity after ethanol.

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Abstract
The locomotor activity of 16 male C57Bl and 16 male BALB mice in photocell cages was measured for 1 h, starting 5 min after i.p. injection of saline containing 0, 0.75, 1.50 or 2.25 g of ethanol per kg of body weight. All of the animals received each of the doses. The effect of catecholamine depletion was assessed by giving half the animals 200 mg of .alpha.-methyl-p-tyrosine per kg before each ethanol dose. Ethanol had biphasic effects in both strains. In the C57Bl mice, 0.75 and 1.5 g of ethanol per kg stimulated and 2.25 g/kg depressed activity. In the BALB mice, 0.75 g/kg depressed and 1.5 and 2.25 g/kg stimulated activity. The .alpha.-methyl-p-tyrosine blocked ethanol-induced increases in activity in both strains (at 0.75 and 1.50 g/kg in C57Bl mice and at 1.50 and 2.25 g/kg in BALB mice), but had no effect on ethanol-induced decreases, indicating that multiple mechanisms mediate ethanol''s effects on activity. Apparently ethanol-induced excitation is related to rewarding effects and to voluntary consumption of ethanol.

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