Rats exposed to reward downshift (from 32% to 4% sucrose) increase 2% alcohol intake in a 2-h, free-choice preference test which also offered water. This effect was accompanied by augmented general activity in the elevated plus maze (Donaire et al., 2018, Behav Proc, 150, 59-65). In the present study we analyzed the effect of alcohol consumption induced by reward downshift on anxiety behaviors registered in the hole-board (HB) test. Sixteen food-deprived female Wistar rats received 32% sucrose for ten 5-min daily sessions and were then downshifted to 4% sucrose for two 5-min daily sessions (postshift). Sessions also involved testing animals in a 2-h, 2-bottle preference task with 2% alcohol vs. water (Group A), or water vs. water (Group W). On postshift sessions, animals were exposed to a 6-min HB test after the preference task. Reward devaluation significantly reduced sucrose intake in Groups A and W, and increased alcohol consumption in Group A, but had no effect on water consumption in Group W. Increased alcohol consumption was followed by higher head-dipping frequency in the HB test compared with Group W. The results are discussed in terms of the impact of reward loss on anxiety behaviors in the HB test and the anxiolytic effects of alcohol in situations involving negative affect.

中文翻译：

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奖励损失引起的饮酒对洞板测试行为的影响

暴露于奖励降档（从 32% 到 4% 蔗糖）的大鼠在 2 小时的自由选择偏好测试中增加了 2% 的酒精摄入量，该测试还提供水。这种效果伴随着高架十字迷宫中的一般活动增强（Donaire et al., 2018, Behav Proc, 150, 59-65）。在本研究中，我们分析了奖励降档引起的饮酒对洞板 (HB) 测试中记录的焦虑行为的影响。16 只缺乏食物的雌性 Wistar 大鼠每天接受 32% 的蔗糖，每天 10 次 5 分钟，然后在每天两次 5 分钟的会议（轮班后）中减至 4% 蔗糖。会议还涉及在 2 小时、2 瓶偏好任务中测试动物，使用 2% 酒精与水（A 组）或水与水（W 组）。在班后会议上，动物在偏好任务后接受 6 分钟的 HB 测试。