Effects of nicotine on two types of motor activity in rats

Effects of injections of two doses of nicotine (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg body wt) were tested on general activity (in a photocell chamber) and on locomotor activity (in an activity wheel) in male and female rats of two ages (40 and 90 days). Behavior was monitored under light and dark conditions at 15, 30, and 45 min post-injection over a period of 12 days. A general excitatory effect of nicotine was observed in the photocell chamber, with the high dosage greatly increasing activity for younger and female animals. In the activity wheel an initial depressant effect was observed followed by excitation at the lower dose. No evidence for tolerance or difference between light and dark test conditions was found.