Differences in the stereotypy response but not the hypomotility response to apomorphine in the Roman High and Low avoiding strains of rats.

Two experiments were carried out to investigate differences in the behavioural responses to "high" and "low" doses of apomorphine in two strains of rats selectively bred for high and low avoidance on a two-way active avoidance task: the Roman High and Low Avoiders. Significant strain differences were found in the stereotypy resulting from a high dose of apomorphine (2 mg/kg s.c.). In a second experiment no strain differences were, however, apparent for the hypomotility produced by low doses of the drug (0.05 mg/kg s.c.). Pretreatment with a low dose of apomorphine had no effect on the stereotypy response when the animals were subsequently retested with the high dose. These results may indicate differential sensitivities of dopamine receptors in these strains.