The effects of dopamine agonists were investigated on the latency of the acoustic startle response in male Wistar rats. Four indirect dopamine agonist were tested: GBR 12783 (5-20 mg/kg), BTCP (5-20 mg/kg), dexamphetamine (3-6 mg/kg) and L-DOPA 100 mg/kg associated with benserazide 25 mg/kg; they induced an increase in startle latency. Apomorphine at a dose (50 micrograms/kg) known to decrease dopaminergic transmissions, was ineffective on the startle response. On the contrary, at 0.6 or 2 mg/kg, apomorphine induced an increase in the startle latency. A similar effect was observed with bromocriptine at 10 mg/kg from the 10th min up to at least the 9th hour after treatment. The specific agonist of D2 receptors Ru 24926 (0.45 mg/kg) enhanced the startle latency as well as the specific agonist of D1 receptors SKF 38393 (10 mg/kg). The association of these drugs resulted in an apparent additivity of their individual effects. The effect of apomorphine (0.6 mg/kg) was only partially reduced by a high dose of the specific D2 antagonist amisulpride (80 mg/kg) and more clearly antagonized by the specific D1 antagonist SCH 23390 (50 micrograms/kg). It is concluded that D2 and D1 receptors contribute to the increase in startle latency elicited by direct or indirect dopamine agonists.