title: Differential effect of environmental temperature on morphine physical dependence and abstinence.
abstract: 1) Ambient temperature (Ta) significantly influenced the display of 4 of the 14 naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs (nesting, flat posture, vocalization, dyspnea) in morphine-dependent, non-hibernating ground squirrels (Citellus lateralis). 2) Analysis of variance performed on the six quantified signs revealed that Ta during withdrawal, but not during the development of physical dependence, was a significant factor in determining the expression of two signs (nesting and vocalization). 3) The interaction between the influence of Ta during the periods of morphine administration and abstinence was a significant factor in determining the expression of nesting behavior, a finding that is consistent with the natural role of nesting as a behavioral thermoregulatory response. 4) We conclude that environmental temperature modulates the expression of selected components of the naloxone-precipitated abstinence syndrome in C. lateralis without exerting a measurable influence on the development of morphine physical dependence itself.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009021:Morphine Dependence; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009425:Nesting Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D011187:Posture; D012589:Sciuridae; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D013696:Temperature; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009270:Naloxone