Dopamine D-1 but not D-2 receptor stimulation of the dorsal striatum potentiates apomorphine-induced jaw movements in rats

The effects of bilateral injections of selective D-1 and D-2 agonists and antagonists into the dorsal striata on apomorphine-induced jaw movements were studied in ketamine-anaesthetized rats after C1 spinal transection. A phototransducer attached to the lower mandible automatically detected jaw movements. YM-09151-2 (0.2 and 0.5 micrograms) and cis(Z)-flupentixol (0.5 and 1 microgram) injected into the dorsal striatum increased the frequency of jaw movements after apomorphine (0.2 mg/kg i.v.). The effects were prevented by administration of SCH23390 (1 microgram) with YM-09151-2 (0.5 microgram) or cis(Z)-flupentixol (1 microgram). Injection of SCH23390 (1 microgram) alone into the dorsal striatum failed to alter the apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.)-induced jaw movements. Local application of the selective D-1 agonists, SKF38393 (5 micrograms) and SKF75670 (10 micrograms), into the dorsal striatum potentiated the apomorphine (0.2 mg/kg i.v.)-induced jaw movements, while a D-2 agonist, quinpirole (10 micrograms), injected into the same site attenuated these movements. These data are suggestive of an oppositional D-1: D-2 receptor interaction in the dorsal striatum.