Phenotypic, ethologically based resolution of spontaneous and D2-like vs D1-like agonist-induced behavioural topography in mice with congenic D3 dopamine receptor "knockout"

Abstract

Uncertainty as to the functional role of the D3 dopamine receptor, due primarily to a paucity of selective agonists or antagonists, is being addressed in mice with targeted gene deletion ("knockout") thereof. This study describes, for the first time, the phenotype of congenic D3-null mice. Initially, 129/Sv x C57BL/6 D3-null mice were backcrossed 14 times onto C57BL/6; they were then assessed using an ethologically based approach which resolves all topographies of behaviour within the mouse repertoire. The ethogram of D3-null mice, on comparison with wildtypes, was characterised by no alteration in any topography of behaviour over an initial period of exploration; subsequent assessment over ..