title: Effects of cholinergic agonists on the dorsal immobility response.
abstract: The effects of pilocarpine, arecoline, and physostigmine on the dorsal immobility response in ovariectomized female rats were tested. The effect of pretreatment with the cholinergic antagonist scopolamine was also tested. Pilocarpine, arecoline, and physostigmine all significantly decreased the duration of the dorsal immobility response in a dose-dependent way. Scopolamine significantly blocked the effect of pilocarpine. Thus, cholinergic agonists attenuate the dorsal immobility response via their effect on cholinergic systems in the central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Cottrell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Hartesveldt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001115:Arecoline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D010862:Pilocarpine; D001115:Arecoline; D010830:Physostigmine; D012601:Scopolamine