Differences in addiction behavior between the sexes is a topic of great interest in both the behavioral neuroscience field and to the general public. In alcohol use disorder, women often consume greater volumes of alcohol and may be more susceptible to stress-induced relapse. To investigate behaviors such as these and their causes, a transgenic mouse strain known as Four Core Genotype (FCG) has been developed that equips researchers to investigate the roles of the hormonal and chromosomal aspects of sex. These mice’s genotypes are manipulated to separate sex chromosomes (XX vs XY) from gonadal sex (presence of Sry testis-determining gene). The present study subjected this strain of mice to periods of open and limited access to ethanol solution using a model of alcohol addiction and relapse that gradually escalates the concentration of ethanol. We found that aspects of female sex were related to ethanol drinking: female hormones (lack of Sry gene) are related to increased ethanol drinking, and female chromosomes (XX) are related to increased preference for ethanol over water. Following deprivation from ethanol, female mice (XX without Sry gene) drank even more and male mice (XX and XY with Sry gene) drank much less than before, suggesting females may be more susceptible to relapse. Future studies may use more animals and extend over a longer period of time to gather stronger data. As undergraduate researchers we learned much from this the opportunity about developing and conducting a novel study with transgenic mice, and hopefully are able to make meaningful contributions to the study of sex and addiction.
Authors: Noah Ostlie, Natalie Cavalco, Asa Jaymes, Lindsay Rasizer.
Faculty Advisor: Anna Radke, Department of Psychology
Graduate Student Advisor: Elizabeth Sneddon, Department of Psychology
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