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Effects of morphine, beta-endorphin and naloxone on catecholamine levels and sexual behavior in the male rat.
- Source :
-
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior [Pharmacol Biochem Behav] 1980 Sep; Vol. 13 (3), pp. 435-41. - Publication Year :
- 1980
-
Abstract
- Intraperitoneal administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone hydrochloride (30 mg/kg) to sexually experienced male rats caused a significant reduction in mount and intromission latencies, number of mounts preceding ejaculation and ejaculation latencies. Intraperitoneal adminstration of naloxone (30 mg/kg) also stimulated persistant non-copulators to begin mating and to ejaculate within a twenty minute test period. Conversely, intraperitoneal administration of morphine sulphate (6 mg/kg) as well as intraventricular injection of the endogenous opiate beta-endorphin (6 micrograms) produced a complete loss of copulatory behavior in male rats. The deficit in sexual behavior induced by beta-endorphin was correlated with a significant increase in hypothalamic norepinephrine levels. It is suggested that the endogenous opiates may be involved in the mediation of sexual behavior via an interaction with central catecholaminergic systems.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0091-3057
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 6252562
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(80)90251-8