Involvement of dopaminergic receptor subtypes in straub tail behaviour in mice.

1. Administration of apomorphine to mice induced straub tail behaviour dose-dependently. The response was decreased by the D1 antagonist SCH 23390, the D2 antagonist sulpiride. Reserpine plus alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT), caused a marked increase in the response of the drug. 2. The D1 agonist SKF 38393 induced the straub tail behaviour in a dose-dependent manner, which was decreased by SCH 23390, sulpiride or reserpine + AMPT. 3. When animals were administered the D2 agonist quinpirole, a dose-dependent response was produced. This effect was decreased by sulpiride and reserpine + AMPT, but not by SCH 23390. 4. In animals pretreated with reserpine + AMPT, the combination of SKF 38393 with quinpirole produced a significant straub tail behaviour. 5. It is concluded that the concurrent D1/D2 dopamine receptor stimulation is necessary to produce straub tail behaviour in mice.