Cited by 59Neuropeptides and Animal PhysiologyNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorHypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

Hypothalamic opioid mechanisms controlling oxytocin neurones during parturition

Bicknell, R.J., Leng, G., Russell, J.A., Dyer, R.G., Mansfield, S., Zhao, B.-G.·1988·Brain Research Bulletin

Abstract

The influences of opioids on oxytocin secretion and parturition were investigated in the rat. Morphine, administered centrally or peripherally, severely delays the course of established parturition. This delay is accompanied by reduced plasma oxytocin levels and is overcome by treatment either with the opioid antagonist naloxone, or by infusion of oxytocin. An endogenous opioid regulatory mechanism inhibiting oxytocin secretion becomes activated immediately prior to and during parturition. This mechanism does not operate earlier in pregnancy or during normal lactation and is not seen in nonpregnant animals. Naloxone acutely speeds up the course of established parturition, an effect accompanied by greatly elevated plasma oxytocin levels. The mechanisms underlying opioid regulation of oxytocin neurones were investigated at two sites. Precipitated withdrawal from chronic morphine treatment causes hypersecretion of oxytocin. This response is mediated by greatly enhanced electrical activity in the perikarya of oxytocin neurones indicating the presence of opioid receptors on oxytocin neurones and/or on their afferent input. Opioid receptors are also present in the neurohypophysis where they exert direct and noradrenaline mediated effects on secretion from oxytocin terminals in vitro.

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Crossref · 10.1016/0361-9230(88)90086-x

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  • Enhancing opioidergic tone with morphine severely delays the course of parturition, accompanied by a reduced level of circulating oxytocin, whereas attenuating opioidergic tone with naloxone acutely increases the speed of parturition by greatly elevating oxytocin levels, reversing this delay.

    “Enhancing opioidergic tone with morphine severely delays the course of parturition, accompanied by a reduced level of circulating OT, whereas attenuating opioidergic tone with NAL acutely increases the speed of parturition by greatly elevating OT levels, reversing this delay (27–29).”

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Authors
Bicknell, R. J., Leng, G., Russell, J. A., Dyer, R. G., Mansfield, S., & Zhao, B.-G.
Affiliations
University of Edinburgh (GB)
Venue
Brain Research Bulletin
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1988-06
Volume
20
Issue
6
Pages
743-749
ISSN
0361-9230 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2020127388
Cited by
59
References
35
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Brain Research Bulletin (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Keywords
childbirth, oxytocin secretion, hypothalamus, opioid receptors, morphine, naloxone, opioid withdrawal, neurohypophysis, norepinephrine, pregnancy, lactation, plasma oxytocin
MeSH terms
Animals, Electric Stimulation, Endorphins, Female, Labor, Obstetric, Morphine, Naloxone, Norepinephrine, Oxytocin, Pituitary Gland, Posterior, Pregnancy, Rats, Inbred Strains, Receptors, Opioid, Supraoptic Nucleus, Rats

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