Is the anxiolytic-like effect of acute 8-OH-DPAT mediated by 5-HT1A receptors?

In the study of the role of 5-HT1A receptors in anxiety, dose-effect curve for the full 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT was determined in rats exploring the elevated plus-maze. Dose of 0.5mg/kg, IP, of 8-OH-DPAT significantly increased the percentage of open arm entries and of time spent on the open arms, displaying an anxiolytic effect. Total number of entries into the enclosed arms, an index of locomotion, was also significantly increased. A lower (0.25mg/kg) and a higher dose (1.0mg/kg) of 8-OH-DPAT were ineffective. Contrastly, 2.0mg/kg, IP, of diazepam had a similar anxiolytic effect, but did not affect locomotion. The pretreatment with 1.0mg/kg of WAY 100135 did not antagonize the effects of 0.5mg/kg of 8-OH-DPAT on the indexes of anxiety and locomotion. These results show that 8-OH-DPAT has anxiolytic-like and locomotor stimulant effects in the elevated plus-maze. However, these effects do not seem to be mediated by 5HT1A receptors.