Evidence for specific involvement of dopamine D 1 and D 2 receptors in the regulation of body temperature in the rat

Abstract

Administration of the selective dopamine D 1 and D 2 receptor agonists, A 68930 (0.9–60.0 μmol kg −1 s.c.) and quinpirole (0.1–6.0 μmol kg −1 s.c.), produced a dose-dependent decrease in core temperature in the rat. The hypothermia induced by quinpirole (1.5 μmol kg −1) was antagonized by pretreatment with the selective dopamine D 2 receptor antagonist, raclopride (1.6 μmol kg −1 s.c.), but not by the dopamine D 1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.3 μmol kg −1 s.c.), whereas the hypothermia induced by A 68930 (3.8 μmol kg −1) was antagonized by SCH 23390 (0.3 μmol kg −1), but not by raclopride (1.6 μmol kg −1). Together, these results suggest that both dopamine D 1 and D 2 receptors are specifically involved in the regulation of body temperature in the rat.