Effects of haloperidol and propranolol on rats' transport response to maternal stimuli.

Presentation of maternal stimuli to mother- or littermate-deprived 16-day-old rat pups strengthens the transport response. Administration of varying doses of haloperidol failed to attenuate this response potentiation. In contrast, administration of varying doses of propranolol blocked response potentiation. It is proposed that under high levels of stress the potentiation of transport response is primarily under the control of beta-noradrenergic systems.