Effects of Electric Shock on Water Consumption in Random-Bred Mice

Abstract

Water consumption in a random-bred line of mice was studied to determine if consumption could be used as a behavioral measure of emotionality. The treatment, electric shock, was administered to 13 mice; a non-shock control group included 14 mice. 48 hr. after treatment, all mice were given 24 hr. water deprivation. This was followed by 24 hr. free access to water. During this 24-hr. period, water consumption was recorded at 30, 60, 90, 120 min., and at the end of 24 hr. Mice that received the electric shock consumed significantly more water than the control group during the first 2 hr. These results are consistent with the suggestion that water consumption may be a useful indicator of emotionality in mice.