Behavioural effects of adenosine locally applied into ventral hippocampus of adult male rats

Abstract

The possible effects of Adenosine (AD), locally applied into the ventral Hippocampus (HPCv) on the expression of general motor activity and some stereotyped behaviours were studied in adult male rats. Locomotion display was recorded in a hole-board equiped with automatic infrared animal activity detectors. Stereotyped behaviours were measured by direct inspection by two observers. Animals were implanted with microinjection cannulae into the HPCv and 72 h later they were injected with saline, or increasing doses of AD. In one experiment rats were microinjected once with saline or Adenosine and general motor activity and exploration were examined. In other experiment, rats were injected into the HPCv twice with saline, the AD-receptors antagonist 1,3-dipropil-methyl-xanthine (DMX) or AD and only stereotyped behaviours were examined. Results of Experiment 1 showed that the 40 nMol dose of AD was significantly effective to inhibit by about 30% several motor activities such as vertical, horizontal and ambulatory behaviours. Results of Experiment 2, showed that grooming was not modified by AD but the dose of 10 nMol increased the time of immobility by about 3 times over controls. DMX was able to block completely the AD effects on immobility. The present results suggest that in the rat AD might modulate the hippocampal-mediated expression of some motor and stereotyped behaviours induced by unknown environments.