Ontogeny of Noradrenergic Effects on Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Rat Pups

The ontogeny of noradrenergic effects and the interaction of opioid and noradrenergic systems on vocalizations in rat pups from Day 10 to Day 18 were evaluated. Day 10 pups given clonidine (0.05 or 0.5 mg/kg) ip showed a sustained high level of calling throughout a 25-min isolation period that was reversed with yohimbine (0.1 mg/kg). Day 15 pups showed identical profiles with a lower baseline rate. Day 17 pups' calls were differentially affected according to dose; Day 18 pups reduced vocalizing with clonidine. In addition, it was found that at all ages when clonidine increased calling during isolation, the pups vocalized in the nest as well. Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, lost its effectiveness to increase vocalizations after Day 15 unless it was given subsequent to clonidine. These results suggest that pups' vocalizations are differentially affected by noradrenergic and opioid stimulation or inhibition with developmental changes.