Possible role of dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors in behavioural activation and “contingent” reward evaluation in sodium-replete and sodium-depleted rats licking for NaCl solutions

► Na-replete and depleted rats licking for NaCl were treated with D1 and D2 antagonists. ► Antagonism at dopamine D1 receptors reduced burst number. ► Antagonism at D2 receptors reduced burst number and affected burst size. ► Na-depletion reduced the sensitivity to the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. ► D1 and D2 antagonists influence licking for NaCl as previously observed for sucrose.