Induction of swimming in the high spinal stingray by L-DOPA.

Date

1981

Authors

Williams, B.J.
Droge, M.H.
Hester, K.
Leonard, R.B.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Stingrays with high spinal transections, which do not spontaneously locomote, can be induced to swim by intravenous injection of L-DOPA. The L- DOPA-induced swim of the spinal animal is associated with patterns of EMG activity that appear similar to those of the spontaneous swim of the decerebrate preparation. However, in contrast to the decerebrate condition, the L-DOPA-induced cycles of swimming are slower and less vigorous. Furthermore, secondary periodicities and altered intersegmental timing relationships are also evident.

Description

p. 208-213.

Keywords

Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina, swimming, neurophysiology, marine fish

Citation