title: Social suppression in nonreproductive female Damaraland mole-rats, Cryptomys damarensis: no apparent role for endogenous opioid peptides.
abstract: The role of endogenous opioid peptides (EOPs) on LH secretion was examined to investigate the neuronal mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of GnRH and the resultant infertility in nonreproductive female Damaraland mole-rats, Cryptomys damarensis. The endorphin antagonist naloxone was administered to five groups of females to determine its effect on plasma LH levels: Grouping was determined by social status, social environment, and whether the females were ovariectomized. A single injection of naloxone had no significant effect on LH secretion in either intact or hystero-ovariectomized females. Multiple injections with naloxone failed to affect basal LH concentrations but did result in a decrease in GnRH-stimulated LH secretion in ovariectomized nonreproductive and reproductive females. A significant response to a single naloxone injection following GnRH priming was obtained in both nonreproductive females and in nonreproductive females housed in the absence of the reproductive pair. These results suggest EOPs play a role in sexual function but that socially induced infertility is unlikely to be mediated through the EOP system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Molteno
authors.forename: Nigel C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D019577:Mole Rats / Q000502:physiology*; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D009270:Naloxone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone