title: Quantification of opioid-binding sites in the ewe hypothalamus.
abstract: Opioid-binding sites were quantified in the ewe hypothalamus using [3H]diprenorphine ([3H]DIP) as the radioligand. [3H]DIP binding to hypothalamic membrane preparations was stereospecific, saturable with respect to [3H]DIP concentration, and linear with hypothalamic membrane protein content. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding sites. There were no significant differences in binding site concentration or binding affinity in hypothalami from intact ewes during the breeding and non-breeding seasons, or from long-term ovariectomized ewes with and without oestradiol treatment during the breeding season. Thus, whilst ovarian steroid hormones are known to modify LH responses to opioids and their antagonists in the ewe in vivo, they do not appear to do this by modulating the numbers of hypothalamic opioid-binding sites.
authors.affiliation: AFRC Research Group, University of Nottingham Faculty of Agricultural Science, Loughborough, Leicestershire.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Haynes
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lamming
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001392:Azocines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004174:Diprenorphine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008183:Luteal Phase; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D001392:Azocines; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D004174:Diprenorphine; C035969:quadazocine