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.