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Head-twitch response induced by ergometrine in mice: Behavioural evidence for direct stimulation of central 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors by ergometrine

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Abstract

Ergometrine (2.5–80 mg/kg IP) induced head twitches in mice. Pretreatment with cyproheptadine (1.5 and 3 mg/kg), methysergide (5 and 10 mg/kg) and (−)-propranolol (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) significantly decreased the number of head twitches induced by ergometrine. Pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg/day×4 days) and clomipramine (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly decreased the number of head twitches induced by fenfluramine (10 mg/kg) and p-chloramphetamine (5 mg/kg) but had no significant effect on the number of head twitches induced by ergometrine. The results indicate that ergometrine induces head twitches in mice by directly stimulating central 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors.

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Balsara, J.J., Bapat, T.R., Nandal, N.V. et al. Head-twitch response induced by ergometrine in mice: Behavioural evidence for direct stimulation of central 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors by ergometrine. Psychopharmacology 88, 275–278 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180824

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180824

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