Effect on rat feeding behavior of two selective D2 dopamine agonists.

B-HT 958 and SND 919, two selective agonists at D2 dopamine receptors, were examined for their influence on the feeding behavior of fasted rats. When food intake was determined in the rat's individual home cage, it was found to be reduced by both drugs at low sedative doses during the first hour after treatment and by SND 919 at the highest dose (which also elicits stereotypy) only 24 h later. However, SND 919 and B-HT 958 had no significant effect on feeding evaluated according to the X-maze and tube feeding tests. Analysis of the results, seen in the context of other behavioral signs produced by the drugs, suggests that data on feeding may vary depending on the experimental model used and can be modified by extraneous factors that interfere with a specific effect on food intake.