Apomorphine-induced behaviour during the oestrous cycle of the rat

The effect of various doses of apomorphine (APO) (25, 250, 400 and 750 micrograms/kg, s.c.) on open field behaviour, stereotyped behaviour, body temperature and concentrations of serum oestradiol was studied in cycling females and in ovariectomized rats. With the exception of grooming, the hormonal variations during the cycle, or the ovariectomy, did not have an effect on behaviour related to stimulation of presynaptic dopamine (DA) receptors. The endocrine status on proestrus (PE), characterized by an increase in serum oestradiol, did influence hyperlocomotion and hypothermia induced by apomorphine; the former being attenuated and the latter increased, as compared to the other phases of the cycle. Ovariectomy resulted in an increase in the stimulatory effect of apomorphine on locomotion. Stereotypy induced by apomorphine was unaltered by hormonal variations during the cycle and it was slightly attenuated by removal of the ovaries. During phases of low levels of oestrogen (oestrus, metestrus) apomorphine significantly increased the levels of serum oestradiol, determined 30 min after the administration of drug. It is concluded that the various DAergic mechanisms in brain are differentially affected by hormonal variations during the cycle and by ovariectomy.