Abstract
We tested the effects of chronic blockade of endogenous opiate transmission upon body weight and reproduction in female rats using the long-acting opiate antagonist naltrexone (ntx). Neither body weight nor vaginal smear pattern was affected by ntx treatment. In mating experiments the saline- and ntx-treated groups proved equally fertile with no differences in litter size. At all stages of the estrous cycle luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were the same in ntx- and saline-treated animals and the estradiol-induced LH surge was comparable in both groups. These data show that chronic blockade of endogenous opiate transmission does not interfere with fertility and LH secretion in female rats. Thus, endogenous opioids may only play a minor role in the reproduction of female rats.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.