Effect of Opioid Antagonist Naloxone on Maternal Motivation in Albino Rats

Abstract

We studied the effect of nonselective antagonist of opioid receptor naloxone on the behavior of albino female rats on days 4-6 after delivery. Intraperitoneal injection of naloxone (5 mg/kg) significantly stimulated maternal reactions (increased the number of approaches to pups, decreased the latency of their transfer into new location). Intranasal naloxone (1 mg/kg) produced similar changes. Naloxone in intraperitoneal dose of 1 mg/kg and intranasal dose of 0.2 mg/kg virtually did not modify maternal behavior.

Activation of maternal behavior of albino rats after combined treatment with dopamine and opioid receptor antagonists in low doses

“…1). Our results, along with our previous data [2,3] create the basis for the development of methods for correction (stimulation or attenuation) of the level of maternal motivation in clinical practice.…”

“…In two series D1/D2 antagonist was injected, in two other series haloperidol injection was preceded by a threshold intranasal naloxone dose (0.2 mg/kg). Our previous studies [2] showed that this dose of naloxone had a negligible effect on the intensity of maternal reactions (in contrast to, e.g., 1 mg/kg).…”

“…The parameters of maternal reactions of albino rats were stable during repeated testing, and the behavioral effects of single low doses of haloperidol and naloxone lasted no longer than several hours [2,4], therefore the same females were used as "control" and "experimental" alternatively (on different days of observation) and injected with the solvent or the test drugs respectively. The significance of shifts was evaluated using paired statistical tests (Student, Wilcoxon, ANOVA after Friedman).…”

“…Dopamin-and opioidergic neurons are particularly significant among the latter systems. The capacity of opioid antagonists to stimulate and of agonists to attenuate the maternal behavior was analyzed in our previous studies [2,3]. Activation of the dopaminergic system in the dorsolateral striatum associated with triggering of the parental reactions was detected [8].…”

Naloxone therapy in opioid overdose patients: intranasal or intravenous? A randomized clinical trial

“…When used with carefully selected medications, this delivery route has the advantage of rapid onset, high plasma bioavailability, direct transport to the central nervous system across the olfactory mucosa, elimination of first pass metabolism and, perhaps most importantly, elimination of the use of needles [7–13]. …”