Central action of the naloxone on ß-endorphins and luteinizing hormone (LH) in ovariectomized and hypoglicemic ewes

Authors

  • Angela Maria Xavier Eloy Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Centro Nacional de Pesquisas de Caprinos, Sobral, CE
  • Richard Rodway University of Leeds, Department of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Leeds

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-95961999000500006

Keywords:

Stress, Endogenous, Naloxone, Reproduction, LH

Abstract

Aiming to investigate the central effect of the opioid antagonist naloxone hydrochloride on the release of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and ß-endorphin in ovariectomized and hypoglycemic ewes, eight female (65.7 ± 3.6 kg), Mule x Suffolk cross, were used. Two weeks before the beginning of the experiment, the animals received guides directed towards to both sides of the lateral ventricle. There were two treatments (TI- non-stressed animals; TII- stressed animals), which were divided into three groups (saline solution, 1 mg and 2 mg of naloxone). The animals were randomly distributed and the experiments were repeated until getting four observations per treatment. It was not either observed significant alteration in the ß-endorphin concentrations or in the LH levels in the animals submitted to TI. The animals of the TII did not show significant alterations in the ß-endorphin levels after (i.c.v.) injection of 1 mg of naloxone, but showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease after naloxone injection (2 mg). The LH concentrations showed a significant (p<0.05) increase after naloxone injections in the TII. The results allow us to conclude that even in the absence of gonadal steroids, the endogenous opioids are involved in the control of the LH release in hypoglycemic animals.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

1999-01-01

Issue

Section

VETERINARY MEDICINE

How to Cite

Central action of the naloxone on ß-endorphins and luteinizing hormone (LH) in ovariectomized and hypoglicemic ewes. (1999). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 36(5), 253-257. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-95961999000500006