Effects of three dopamine agonists on cage climbing behavior.

The effects of three structurally related dopamine (DA) agonists (pergolide, lergotrile, bromocriptine) on motor activity and induction of cage climbing behavior were compared in mice. Pergolide stimulated activity and induced cage climbing that persisted for at least 5 h. Lergotrile depressed activity and failed to induce climbing over a wide range of doses. Bromocriptine produced stimulation and climbing, but only after a 2-3 h delay following injection. The qualitative differences among these drugs may represent an action involving different DA receptor subjects.