Enhanced apomorphine sensitivity and increased binding of dopamine D2 receptors in nucleus accumbens in prepubertal rats after neonatal blockade of the dopamine D3 receptors by (+)-S14297.
The role of dopamine (DA) D3 receptors is controversial in early developmental stages of specially locomotor activity. Past studies have only tested behavioral changes induced by neonatal administration of nonselective dopamine antagonist such as haloperidol or sulpiride in adult rats. We investigated the role of neonatal blockade of DA D3 receptors at (postnatal day, P1 to P12) using the DA D3 receptor antagonist (+)-S14297 on paradigms related to DA behaviors including locomotor activity in novel environment and after administration of the DA nonspecific agonists d-amphetamine, and apomorphine. Additionally, autoradiographic studies were performed to correlate behavioral alterations with DA D1-like, D2-like, and D3 receptors. All studies were performed at two critical ages, prepubertal (P35) and postpubertal (P60). The quantitative autoradiogaphic study revealed increases in the expression of DA D2-like receptor expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in prepubertal animals that received the DA D3 antagonist (+)-S14297 at neonatal age. In addition, novel environment and apomorphine administration (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), induced increases of locomotor activity in prepubertal animals that received the DA D3 antagonist (+)-S14297. Autoradiographic and behavioral results suggest that blockade of DA D3 receptors after birth may mediate different neurodevelopmental aspects of the dopaminergic pathway before and after puberty.
Flores-Tochihuitl
Julia
J
Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. 14 Sur 6301, CP: 72570, Puebla, Puebla, México.
Vargas
Guillermo
G
Morales-Medina
Julio Cesar
JC
Rivera
Gustavo
G
De La Cruz
Fidel
F
Zamudio
Sergio
S
Flores
Gonzalo
G
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001345:Autoradiography; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D001058:Apomorphine