Prenatal treatment with 6-hydroxydopa and DSP 4: Biochemical, endocrinological and behavioural effects

Biochemical, hormonal, and behavioural aspects of the effects of prenatal treatment (foetal days 18 and 19) with 6-hydroxydopa (2 × 40 mg/kg) and DSP 4 (2 × 20 mg/kg) have been studied in the rat. The results of the catecholamine assays suggest that the 6-hydroxydopa treatment produced a transient decrease of noradrenaline concentration in the cerebral cortex, and a long-lasting decrease in the cerebellum, whereas DSP 4 produced a long-lasting decrease in the cerebral cortex and a tendency towards increase in the cerebellum. Assays of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone indicated a general tendency towards increase in base line as well as in moderate stress situations. The results of behavioural tests indicated hyperactivity and/or hyperreactivity, but not restlessness, and partly supranormal sensorimotor performances.