Ontogenetic development of locomotor activity and rate of tyrosine hydroxylation

A combined biochemical and behavioral study was performed postnatally on albino rats. An almost linear increase in total motor activity was observed from 1 to 15 days of age followed by a pronounced decrease in motor activity between days 15 and 18. The in vivo rate of tyrosine hydroxylase activity in whole brain was estimated by means of measuring accumulation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) after administration of an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase NSD 1015. Additionally, Dopa accumulation was studied in regional brain areas in 10 and 14-day-old animals. A slight gradual increase in the amount of Dopa accumulation in whole brain was observed from 1 to 10 days of age, followed by a pronounced increase between 10 and 14 days. Regional studies revealed that the increase in Dopa accumulation was primarily located to striatum. The data suggest an involvement of central catecholamine neurons possibly dopaminergic, terminating in striatum. The decrease in motor activity observed after 15 days of age is interpreted as involvement of maturing inhibitory pathways of noncatecholaminergic origin.