We attempted to clarify whether or not under inhibition of central dopa decarboxylase non-effective i.p. doses of L-dopa potentiate D2 receptor-mediated locomotor activities without conversion to dopamine in normal and i.v.t. 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats. In normal rats, only the highest dose of quinpirole, a selective D2 agonist, at ranges used (0.01-1 mg/kg, s.c.) slightly increased the total counts of locomotor activities for 140 min after injection. A simultaneously injected non-effective dose of L-DOPA (30 mg/kg) potentiated locomotor activities by quinpirole (0.1 and 1 mg/kg). L-dopa potentiated quinpirole (1 mg/kg)-induced locomotor activities 90 to 140 min after the injection with marked increase in basal release of L-DOPA without increase in dopamine release simultaneously monitored during striatal microdialysis, compared to quinpirole alone. D-dopa (30 mg/kg) produced no potentiation. In 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats, a non-effective dose of L-dopa (10 mg/kg) also potentiated quinpirole (0.3 mg/kg)-induced locomotor activities. L-dopa acting on a recognition site for itself stereoselectively potentiates postsynaptic D2 receptor-mediated locomotor activities of rats.