Facilitatory effects of monoamine synthesis inhibitors on lysine-vasopressin induced changes in the exploratory behaviour pattern of male rats.
The possible interaction between vasopressin and monoamines in the regulation of exploratory behaviour was investigated. Treatment with lysine-vasopressin (LVP) influenced this behaviour. In particular, the investigative activity was enhanced. The dose-response relationship of LVP was non-linear. The catecholamine synthesis inhibitor alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MT, 100 mg/kg) also increased the investigative activity, indicating a suppressive influence of catecholamines on this behaviour. alpha-MT pretreatment potentiated the effect of LVP within certain dose levels. The dose-response relationship for the peptide effect on the investigative activity was shifted towards the left. Treatment with the serotonin biosynthesis inhibitor para-chloro-phenylalanine (PCPA) (100 + 50 + 50 mg/kg) also enhanced the investigative behaviour and potentiated the action of LVP similarly to alpha-MT. It is suggested that the action of LVP on the exploratory behaviour in rats can be modified by monoamines.
D000818:Animals; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008236:Lypressin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008781:Methyltyrosines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D008781:Methyltyrosines; D008236:Lypressin; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D010134:Fenclonine