ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Endogenous opioid peptides
;
Ethanol
;
Fetal alcohol syndrome
;
Prenatal ethanol exposure
;
Stress-induced analgesia
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Two neurochemically distinct forms of stress-induced analgesia were examined in adult rats following prenatal ethanol exposure. Rats were exposed to ethanol during the last 2 weeks of gestation through a liquid diet presented to the dams. Analgesia testing was conducted when the offspring were 150–210 days of age. Two forms of footshock stress were administered; one that resulted in a naloxone-sensitive (opioid-mediated) analgesia and one that resulted in a naloxone-insensitive (nonopioid) form of analgesia. Rats prenatally exposed to ethanol demonstrated significantly enhanced opioid-mediated analgesia, but unaltered nonpoioid analgesia compared to controls. These results confirm previous findings that prenatal exposure to ethanol leads to long-term alterations in responding to some, but not all forms of stress. The possibility that prenatal exposure to ethanol leads to perturbations in the endogenous opioid systems is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00427329
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