Social rank, chronic ethanol self-administration, and diurnal pituitary-adrenal activity in cynomolgus monkeys.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Dominance hierarchies affect ethanol self-administration, with greater intake among subordinate animals compared to dominant animals. Excessive ethanol intake disrupts circadian rhythms. Diurnal rhythms of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis have not been characterized in the context of ethanol self-administration with regard to social rank.

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether diurnal pituitary-adrenal hormonal rhythms account for differences between social ranks in ethanol self-administration or are differentially affected by ethanol self-administration between social ranks.

Methods

During alternating individual (n = 11-12) and social (n = 3 groups) housing of male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), diurnal measures of cortisol and ad

SUBMITTER: Helms CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3469782 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature