The effect of blocking dopamine release on synthesis rate of dopamine in the striatum of the rat

Two experiments were carried out in rats to investigate the mechanisms by which dopamine (DA) synthesis is regulated. First, a unilateral lesion was made in the substantia nigra, thus interrupting the nervous impulse flow of the nigro-striatal pathway. Secondly, the release of DA in the striatum was blocked by means of 1-hydroxy-3-amino-pyrrolidone-2 (HA-966). In both experiments the synthesis rate of DA was accelerated as was shown by analysing the time course of the specific activity of striatal DA after an i.v. injection of 3,5-³H-tyrosine.Furthermore the influence of apomorphine on the rate of DA synthesis, accelerated by HA-966 or by lesion, was investigated. Apomorphine appeared to block the increase of DA synthesis. The results are discussed in the light of a transsynaptic feedback mechanism.