Effects of dopamine receptor blockade on the intensity-response function of ERG b- and d-waves in dark adapted eyes

•Effects of D2 and D1 + D2 receptor blockade on the b- and d-wave V – log I function were studied in the dark.•Rod-driven ON and, to a greater extent, OFF responses were potentiated by D2 and D1 + D2 receptor blockade.•Cone-driven ON responses were inhibited by both D2 and D1 + D2 receptor blockade.•Cone-driven OFF responses were inhibited by D2 receptor blockade.•Most of the cone-driven OFF responses were potentiated by D1 + D2 receptor blockade.

The effects of dopamine receptor blockade by sulpiride (D2-class antagonist) and sulpiride plus SCH 23390 (D1-class antagonist) on the V – log I function of the ERG b- and d-waves were investigated in dark adapted frog eyes. We observed that sulpiride enhanced the amplitude of the suprathreshold b- and d-waves in the lower intensity range, where the responses were mediated by rods, but diminished it in the higher intensity range, where the responses were mediated by cones. A similar effect on the b-, but not d-wave amplitude was seen during the perfusion with sulpiride plus SCH 23390. The d-wave amplitude was enhanced over the whole intensity range with the exception of the highest intensities during the combined D1 and D2 receptor blockade. The results obtained indicate that the endogenous dopamine has an overall inhibitory action on the suprathreshold rod-mediated ON and OFF responses, while its action on the cone-mediated responses shows clear ON–OFF asymmetry. It is excitatory upon the ON responses, but inhibitory upon the OFF responses except for those in the highest intensity range. Participation of different types of dopamine receptors (predominantly D2 for the ON versus D1 for the OFF response) is probably responsible for this difference.