Opposing effects of dopamine on agonistic behaviour in crayfish

ABSTRACT The effects of dopamine on the agonistic behaviour of crayfish were analysed. When dopamine concentrations of 1 μmol l−1 were injected into large crayfish, individuals were beaten by smaller opponents, despite their physical advantage. Injection of 10 μmol l−1 dopamine into small animals increased their rate of winning against larger opponents. Injection of a D1 receptor antagonist prohibited the onset of a ‘loser’ effect in subordinate animals, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of dopamine on larger animals is mediated by D1 receptors. Similarly, injection of a D2 receptor antagonist prohibited the onset of a ‘winner’ effect in dominant animals, suggesting that the facilitating effect of dopamine on small animals is mediated by D2 receptors. Since the inhibitory effect of 1 μmol l−1 dopamine was similar to that seen with 1 μmol l−1 octopamine and the facilitating effect of 10 μmol l−1 dopamine was similar to that of 1 μmol l−1 serotonin, functional interactions among dopamine, octopamine and serotonin were analyzed by co-injection of amines with their receptor antagonists in various combinations. The inhibitory effect of 1 μmol l−1 dopamine disappeared when administered with D1 receptor antagonist, but remained when combined with octopamine receptor antagonist. Octopamine effects disappeared when administered with either D1 receptor antagonist or octopamine receptor antagonist, suggesting that the dopamine system is downstream of octopamine. The facilitating effect of 10 μmol l−1 dopamine disappeared when combined with serotonin 5HT1 receptor antagonist or D2 receptor antagonist. Serotonin effects also disappeared when combined with D2 receptor antagonist, suggesting that dopamine and serotonin activate each other through parallel pathways.