OBJECTIVE To evaluate the action of (-)-stepholidine (SPD), a novel dopamine (DA) receptor antagonist, on inhibition by presynaptic D2 receptor agonists on the activity of synaptosomal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the striatum. METHODS The TH activity was measured by HPLC-ECD. RESULTS The mixed DA receptor agonist apomorphine (Apo 10.4 nmol L-1) and selective D2 receptor agonists N-0437 (0.4 pmol L-1) and quinpirole (0.8 mumol L-1) inhibited the activity of TH, while selective D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (0.001-10 mumol L-1) and SPD (1-100 mumol L-1) failed to inhibit the TH activity. The inhibition of N-0437 and quinpirole were antagonized by D2 receptor antagonist spiperone and SPD. CONCLUSIONS The negative feedback regulation of presynaptic DA receptors is mediated via D2 receptors and SPD is an antagonist on presynaptic D2 DA receptors.