The effects of environmental enrichment on voluntary ethanol consumption and stress ulcer formation in rats.

The effects of exposure to an enriched environment on subsequent voluntary ethanol intake and response to restraint stress were examined. Rats at 21 days of age were reared in an enriched environment for 90 days. Non-enriched animals were reared individually in standard laboratory cages. Following an initial 36 day ethanol exposure period, voluntary ethanol (9% v/v) preference was assessed for 10 days. In addition, at the conclusion of the ethanol test session, animals were exposed to restraint stress for a 3 hr period. Results indicate that exposure to an enriched environment produces increased voluntary ethanol consumption as compared to non-enriched controls. Furthermore, animals reared in the enriched environment demonstrated reduced gastric ulcer severity in response to restraint stress. Ethanol per se did not affect ulcer formation.