[The action of L-DOPA on the structure of spontaneous motor activity in rat pups].

In experiments on 2-3-, 7-8-, 10- and 16-day old rat pups, basic age differences have been observed in the effect of a precursor of catecholamine mediator, i.e. L-DOPA on the activity on the spinal and brain mechanisms of autogenic periodic motor excitation. Strong stimulation of the spinal motor rhythm was observed during the first week. At this period, supraspinal rhythm becomes even less evident. On further development, the effect is an opposite one. In 10- and 16-day rat pups, at the background of total inhibition of the spontaneous activity, administration of L-DOPA significantly increases the activity of supraspinal generator of the motor rhythm. The data obtained reveal ontogenetic changes in regulatory mechanisms of autogenic motor activity.