Production of climbing behaviour in mice requires both D1 and D2 receptor activation

• Published in: Psychopharmacology Vol. 94; no. 2; p. 263
• Main Authors: Moore, N A, Axton, M S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.01.1988
• Subjects: 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine; Animals; Antipsychotic Agents - pharmacology; Apomorphine - pharmacology; Appetite Depressants - pharmacology; Benzazepines - pharmacology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ergolines - pharmacology; Female; Mice; Quinpirole; Receptors, Dopamine - drug effects; Stereotyped Behavior - drug effects
• ISSN: 0033-3158
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00176857

The ability of SKF38393 (a D1 agonist), quinpirole (a D2 agonist), and apomorphine (a mixed D1/D2 agonist) to induce stereotyped climbing behaviour in mice was investigated. Apomorphine produced a dose-related increase in stereotyped cage climbing which lasted for up to 60 min. SKF38393 and quinpirole failed to produce climbing when administered alone. When given in combination intense apomorphine-like cage climbing was observed which lasted for up to 2 h. Apomorphine or the combination of SKF38393 and quinpirole also produced biting of the cage. The climbing behaviour produced by either apomorphine or SKF38393/quinpirole combinations was antagonised by either the D1 antagonist, SCH23390 or the D2 antagonist clebopride. These results demonstrate that both D1 and D2 receptor activation is necessary to produce apomorphine-like cage climbing in mice.