ETHANOL-CONSUMPTION AND TASTE PREFERENCES IN C57BL 6BYJ AND 129/J MICE/

Mice of the C57BL/6ByJ (B6) and 129/J (129) strains were offered diffe rent concentrations of taste solutions in 48-hr, two-bottle choice tes ts. In comparison with the 129 strain, the B6 strain had higher prefer ences for ethanol, sucrose, and citric acid. They had lower preference s for NaCl and similar preferences for capsaicin and quinine hydrochlo ride. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the higher et hanol intake by Se mice depends, in part, on higher hedonic attractive ness of its sweet taste component.