Mouse strain differences in apomorphine-induced behavior: An empirical and methodological study.

Evaluated the behavioral response to intraperitoneal apomorphine HCl (0.5–32 mg/kg) in BALB/cJ, CBA/J, and C57BL/6J male mice. Dose–response curves for each component of the drug-induced behavioral repertoire were derived, and effective dose-50 (the dose at which 50% of the Ss met or exceeded a given rating) and slope were calculated for each. This method of analysis allows for a more quantitative estimate of drug sensitivity. Behaviors assessed included grooming, sniffing, climbing, and gnawing. Although some strain differences were observed in the qualitative characteristics of the response, differences in actual drug sensitivity were significant only at the higher ratings. Findings are discussed in relation to methodological and analytical problems in previous strain-comparison experiments. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)