title: Alterations in opioid system of the rat brain after cat odor exposure.
abstract: The effect of cat odor exposure was studied on morphine-induced increase of exploratory behavior and on the expression of opioid genes in forebrain structures of male Wistar rats. Treatment with morphine (1 mg/kg) induced a significant increase in exploratory behavior in an unfamiliar environment in rats. Previous exposure of animals to cat odor completely abolished this stimulating action of mu-opioid receptor agonist on exploratory activity. Cat odor exposure induced a significant increase in the expression of pro-opio-melanocortin (POMC) and mu-opioid receptor (MOR) genes in the brain structures related to anxiety and motivation. This study clearly demonstrates that cat odor exposure increases the activity of opioid system in rat forebrain structures.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Tarmo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Areda
authors.forename: Sulev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kõks
authors.forename: Mari-Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Philips
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vasar
authors.forename: Alar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karis
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asser
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002415:Cats; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009812:Odorants; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000819:agonists / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D009020:Morphine