Mu-opioid receptors in seizure-controlling brain structures are altered by prenatal morphine exposure and by male and female gonadal steroids in adult rats

Abstract

This study used autoradiography to examine the effect of prenatal morphine exposure on -opioid receptor density in epileptic seizure-controlling brain structures including the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR), superior colliculus (SC), and subthalamic nucleus (STN) of adult male and female rats. Mu-opioid receptors in seizure-controlling brain structures are sex-specifically altered by prenatal morphine exposure in adult progeny.

Further, prenatal morphine exposure alters gonadal hormone effects on the density of receptors in adult, OVX females.

Keywords

• μ-Opioid receptors
• Gonadal hormones
• Prenatal morphine
• Substantia nigra
• Subthalamic nucleus
• Superior colliculus