title: Opiate control of spontaneous locomotor activity in a urodele amphibian.
abstract: An intraperitoneal injection of the preferential opiate receptor agonist (+/-) bremazocine HCl given to male rough-skinned newts acutely and dose-dependently reduced their spontaneous locomotor activity. Inversely, and contrary to the situation generally observed in other vertebrates, administration of the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone HCl dose-dependently and acutely stimulated locomotion. Given at a behaviorally active dosage, naloxone counteracted the inhibitory effect of bremazocine on locomotion. The behavioral influence of the two substances was observed using two different sampling techniques (continuous recording for 3 minutes: repeated instantaneous sampling for 60 minutes). These data are discussed in view of our current knowledge on the opiate regulation of locomotor activity in vertebrates.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks 99775-0180
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deviche
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001575:Benzomorphans / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009019:Morphinans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects*; D017473:Receptors, Opioid, kappa; D012455:Salamandridae
chemical_list: D001575:Benzomorphans; D009019:Morphinans; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D017473:Receptors, Opioid, kappa; D009270:Naloxone; C027248:bremazocine