title: Effects of dopamine receptor antagonists on ongoing maternal behavior in rats.
abstract: The effects of different peripheral doses of four dopamine (DA) receptor antagonists on general activity and maternal behavior were examined in lactating female rats. Administration of the classic D1-like and D2-like DA receptor blocker haloperidol (0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg) disrupted pup retrieval and nest-building behaviors and reduced motor activity. Pimozide (0.5 and 0.2 mg/kg), which has more affinity for DA D2-like receptors, mildly disrupted pup retrieval while showing no significant influence on open-field behaviors. The putative DA D(4) receptor blocker, clozapine (1.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) reduced motor activity significantly, while only 1.0 mg/kg dose significantly decreased percent of rats displaying nest building. The DA D1-like receptor blocker SKF-83566 (0.2 and 0.1 mg/kg) significantly reduced pup retrieval, nest building and motor activity. These results suggest a role for DA receptors in ongoing maternal behavior that correlates directly with general activity.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Felicio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D003042:Cocaine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine