Pineal gland: Evidence for an influence on ethanol preference in male syrian hamsters

R. J. Reiter, K. Blum, J. E. Wallace, J. H. Merritt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. 1. If adult male hamsters kept in light: dark cycles of 14: 10 are given a choice to drink water or 5% ethanol, they show a preference for the alcohol solution. Hamsters that are pinealectomized exhibit a reduced preference for ethanol. 2. 2. Blinded hamsters show an exaggerated ethanol preference which is also reduced by either pinealectomy or decentralization of the superior cervical ganglia. 3. 3. Daily melatonin injections of subcutaneously implanted melatonin-beeswax pellets do not influence ethanol preference in hamsters.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11-16
Number of pages6
JournalComparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part A: Physiology
Volume47
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1974

Keywords

  • Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)
  • ethanol preference
  • melatonin
  • pineal gland
  • superior cervical ganglia
  • water intake, pinealectomy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology

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