Rotation following intranigral injections of a selective D1 or a selective D2 dopamine receptor agonist in rats

Injections of various nonselective dopamine agonists into the substantia nigra, pars reticulata (SNpr), have been reported to produce contralateral rotation in rats. Since a number of recent dopamine receptor distribution studies have indicated a preponderance of D1 compared to D2 dopamine receptor subtypes within the SNpr, we examined the relative behavioral functions of these two subtypes within the nigra by studying rotation following unilateral, local injections of a D1 (SKF38393) and D2 (quinpirole) agonist, Significant, dose-dependent contralateral rotation was observed following injections of R,S-SKF38393. This effect was found to be stereoselective to the R- enantiomer, suggesting that the effect is receptor mediated. In contrast, quinpirole (LY171555) produced significant, dose-dependent ipsilateral rotation following nigral injection. These results suggest that the rotation seen following intranigral injections of nonselective dopamine agonists is due to the simulation of the D1 dopamine receptor, and that nigral D1 and D2 dopamine receptors may play opposite roles in the control of behavior.