BEHAVIOUR OF RATS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ETHYL ALCOHOL IN AN OPEN-FIELD SITUATION

In a standardized open-field test, ambulation, defecation, time of non-locomotor activity, time spent motionless, preening, and rearing were recorded. Inter-observer differences were small. Test repetition caused significant behavioural changes. Different rats were used for each of five doses of alcohol (0.5–2 mg/g). The lowest dose (0.75 mg/g) affecting behaviour significantly increased time motionless, decreased non-locomotor activity, and depressed preening. Ambulation was the last sensitive measure of behaviour. The results suggest that arousal mechanisms are particularly sensitive to alcohol. The procedure seems useful for studies of effects of small doses of alcohol.