Relation between brain catecholamine receptors and dopaminergic stereotypy in rat strains

In order to examine the potential relation between behaviour elicited by apomorphine and the density of catecholamine receptors, we studied stereotypy and the binding of [3H]spiperone to D2-(or neuroleptic/dopamine) receptors, of [3H]WB-4101 to alpha1-adrenoceptors, and [3H]clonidine to alpha2-adrenoceptors in two strains of rats. The F344 rats exhibited significantly more stereotypy to apomorphine than the Buffalo strain of rats. Other F344 rats which did not receive apomorphine and 34% more D2-receptors in the striatum and 50% more D2-receptors in the olfactory tubercle. Alpha2-Receptors in the frontal cortex were 20% higher in F344 rats when compared to the Buffalo strain, while alpha 1-receptors were the same across both strains. These results suggest a relation between D2-dopamine/neuroleptic receptor density and behavioural responsiveness to the direct-acting and specific dopamine agonist, apomorphine.