C. C. Middleton

SINCLAIR(S‐1) MINIATURE SWINE AS A MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF HUMAN ALCOHOLISM

The search for an animal model of human alcoholism has been very intensive during the past 15 years. The attempts a t developing animal models for alcoholism have been reviewed in a recent paper by Mello.1 All of the previous methods used, whether self-administered, intravenous infusion.?.’ intragastric self-infusion.4 ethanol and liquid diet.5 or polydipsia,hJ have the characteristic of either artificial ingestion or forcing alcohol by caloric or water restriction. There is no evidence in human alcoholism that ingestion is tied to any one of these principals; rather, it is a predominantly voluntary choice to drink. This report deals with what we consider to be a more appropriate behavioral animal model of human alcoholism that does not involve artificial ingestion or forcing ethanol ingestion by either caloric or water restriction.

Immunohistochemical localization of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus of the squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus

Corticotropin releasing factor immunoreactive (CRF-IR) neuronal cell bodies and fibers have been localized in both the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus of the squirrel monkey. The major projection from these nuclei is to the median eminence and neural stem. A few CRF-IR fibers were found in the dorsal pars nervosa primarily adjacent to the pars intermedia. A rostral projection of CRF-IR fibers is associated with the suprachiasmatic nucleus and continues to septal areas. A caudally projecting bundle of fibers was observed entering the midbrain in neuropil adjacent to the aqueduct. The location of CRF-IR components is also compared with those containing vasopressin (AVP).

Alcohol consumption and vehicle preference in young sinclair (S-1) miniature swine fed two levels of dietary protein.

Summary The quantity of alcohol consumed by young miniature swine was determined as a function of dietary protein and caloric intake. Pigs were fed 16% or 8% protein diets at two levels, the upper level being twice the lower level. Animals eating the 16% protein diet consumed more alcohol than those animals fed the 8% protein diet. Animals fed the lower food levels obtained a greater percentage of calories from alcohol than animals fed the upper food levels. Pigs fed the 16% protein diet at the lower level obtained 40% of total calories as ethanol. Orange juice was preferred by pigs as a carrier of ethanol over cola or water.