Effect of anxiolytic drugs on air-puff-elicited ultrasonic vocalization in adult rats.
Ultrasonic vocalization (USV) responses elicited by air-puff stimuli were compared in regard to both quality and quantity with those elicited by electric foot-shock(s) in adult rats. Frequency pattern, duration, repetition rate and interpulse interval of air-puff-elicited USV were comparable to those observed on foot-shock-elicited USV. Diazepam (0.25-1.0 mg/kg, s.c.) and buspirone (0.1-1.0 mg/kg, s.c.) attenuated equally and dose-dependently the USV responses elicited by both aversive stimuli. Air-puff-elicited USV was specifically attenuated in a dose-dependent manner by the anxiolytic properties of several psychotropic agents: diazepam (1.0-10.0 mg/kg, p.o.), buspirone (10.0-100.0 mg/kg, p.o.), 8-OH-DPAT (0.01-0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). Haloperidol (0.2-1.0 mg/kg, s.c.) weakly attenuated the USV response. Imipramine (0.2-1.0 mg/kg, s.c.) which has no anxiolytic property had no effect. Consequently, air-puff-elicited USV as well as foot-shock-elicited USV may provide a reliable tool for the study of anxiety.
Naito
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Neurophysiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Japan.
Nakamura
Amane
A
Inoue
Maki
M
Suzuki
Yoshihiko
Y
D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002065:Buspirone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003975:Diazepam; D002065:Buspirone