Air-Stepping in Neonatal Rats A Comparison of L-Dopa Injection and Olfactory Stimulation

• Published in: Behavioral neuroscience Vol. 116; no. 6; pp. 1014 - 1021
• Main Authors: Jamon, M, Maloum, I, Riviere, G, Bruguerolle, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Psychological Association 01-12-2002
• Subjects: Animal; Animal Locomotion; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Dopamine Agents - pharmacology; Drugs; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Injections, Subcutaneous; Levodopa; Levodopa - pharmacology; Locomotion; Male; Motor ability; Neonatal Period; Neurology; Neurotransmission and behavior; Odorants; Olfactory Stimulation; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Dopamine - physiology; Rodents; Sensory perception; Smell; Rat; Rodentia; Locomotion; Vertebrata; Animal activity; Mammalia; Spontaneous physical activity; Newborn animal; Animal; Developmental stage; Levodopa; Dopaminergic pathway; Chemical stimulus
• ISSN: 0735-7044; 1939-0084
• DOI: 10.1037/0735-7044.116.6.1014

The kinematic parameters of air-stepping induced by 2 methods known to elicit locomotion (olfactory stimulation vs. L-dopa injection) were compared in 3-day-old rats. In the 1st stage, suspended pups were induced to step with an olfactory stimulus of soiled shavings from the nest. In the 2nd stage, they received a subcutaneous injection of L-dopa. Their movements were faster, with a larger amplitude and a phase delay in ipsilateral coupling. Third, the olfactory stimulus was presented in conjunction with L-dopa. The characteristics of locomotion returned to the same level as with the olfactory stimulus alone. These results suggest that olfactory stimulation involves higher nerve centers able to modulate the dopaminergic pathways. They are discussed in relation to the neural structure involved in locomotion.