Suppressive effect of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist B-HT 920 on rat grooming.
The effect of the D2 agonist B-HT 920 was examined on three behavioural models of induced grooming in the rat. B-HT 920 potently inhibited the grooming elicited by a novel environment, whereas it stimulated the stretching-yawning syndrome. Pretreatment with the selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, sulpiride, reversed the phenomenon. When B-HT 920 was administered to rats before water immersion, it similarly antagonized total grooming; wet-dog shakes, detected in these same animals, were potently inhibited. Finally, B-HT 920 displayed inhibitory activity towards adrenocorticotropin hormone-induced excessive grooming. On the basis of these effects, the role of D2 receptor subtypes in the modulation of grooming is discussed.
Institute of Pharmacology, University of Modena, Italy.
F
F
Ferrari
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F
Pelloni
D
D
Giuliani
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001381:Azepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006120:Grooming / Q000187:drug effects*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000187:drug effects*
D001381:Azepines; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; C024763:talipexole