The sex hormone-dependent development of opiate receptors in the rat medial preoptic area

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(85)91221-1

Brain Research

Volume 360, Issues 1–2, 23 December 1985, Pages 65-74

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(85)91221-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

The opiate receptor content of the sexually dimorphic medial preoptic area (MPOA) was examined in newborn and 5-day-old (D6) male and female rats. A significant increase of [³H]naloxone binding was observed in and around the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) in D6 female rats, relative to newborn females. Opiate receptor labeling did not increase over this period in males, nor was labeling different between males and females at birth. This dramatic alteration of MPOA opiate receptor content was observed to occur in either sex in the absence of testosterone postnatally; that is, neonatally-castrated males exhibited the same increase of labeling by D6 as did normal females. Conversely, daily postnatal testosterone treatment of females from birth to D6 resulted in the development of male-like MPOA opiate receptor pattern. The sex hormone-dependence of MPOA opiate receptor development is discussed in relation to the sex hormone-dependent ontogeny of SDN-POA structure. The overlap of critical periods for the development of these structural and chemical sexual dimorphisms suggests a role for endogenous opioids in modulating MPOA development.

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The sex hormone-dependent development of opiate receptors in the rat medial preoptic area

Abstract

Int. J. Dev. Neurosci.

Brain Research

Neurosci. Lett.

Brain Research

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.

Brain Research

Int. J. Dev. Neurosci.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Brain Research

Physiol. Behav.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Horm. Behav.

Brain Research

Dev. Brain Res.

Brain Research

Brain Research

Dev. Brain Res.

Dev. Brain Res.

Brain research

Production of anovulatory sterile rats by single injections of testosterone proprionate

Endocrinology

Evidence that the hypothalamus is responsible for androgen-induced sterility in the female rat

Endocrinology

Serotonin1 receptor modulation by estrogen in discrete brain nuclei

Neuroendocrinology

Activation of masculine sexual behavior by intracranial estradiol benzoate implants in male rats

Neuroendocrinology

β-Endorphin and met-enkephalin: their distribution, modulation by estrogen and haloperidol, and role in neuroendocrine control

Serotonin₁ receptor modulation by estrogen in discrete brain nuclei