Prenatal exposure to ethanol alters [3h]naloxone binding in rat striatum

Morphine analgesia is potentiated in adult rats prenatally exposed to ethanol

Exposure to inescapable, intermittent footshock elicits an opioid-mediated stress-induced analgesia in rats. We have previously shown that this response is markedly potentiated in adult rats, prenatally exposed to ethanol. To further investigate our hypothesis that endogenous opioid pain-inhibitory systems are modified by prenatal ethanol exposure, we have measured the analgesic response to morphine, in vitro brain opiate receptor binding characteristics, and occupation of brain opiate receptors following systemic administration of morphine. Compared to controls, rats prenatally exposed to ethanol had significantly enhanced morphine analgesia. This enhancement, however, does not appear attributable to changes in number or affinity of mu or delta opiate receptors, or to altered occupation of receptors by morphine.

Opioid but not nonopioid stress-induced analgesia is enhanced following prenatal exposure to ethanol

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 nonopioid 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.

Opiates, endorphins, and the developing organism: a comprehensive bibliography, 1982-1983

A comprehensive bibliography of the literature concerned with opiates, endorphins, and the developing organism for 1982 and 1983 is presented. Utilized with a companion paper (Neurosci Biobehav Rev 6: 439-479, 1982) these articles cover clinical and laboratory references beginning in 1875. For the years 1982 and 1983, a total of 385 citations was recorded. A series of indexes accompanies the citations in order to make the literature more accessible. These indexes are divided into clinical and laboratory topics. The clinical section is subdivided into: age of subject examined, maternal aspects, the fetus, and the offspring. The laboratory section is subdivided into: type of opiate/endorphin studied, species utilized, and major subject areas explored.