Effects of the neuropeptide DG-AVP on morphine and food self-administration by dependent rhesus monkey

Pretreatment with the neuropeptide DG-AVP (desglycrinamide9-arginine8-vasopressin) at two dose levels (25 and 125 mcg/kg) did not reduce intravenous morphine self-administration (0.25 mg/kg/inj) by morpine dependent monkeys, in comparison to pretreatment with saline or DG-AVP vehicle placebo. Food self-administration was also unaffected by DG-AVP pretreatment in comparison to control conditions. These data do not confirm previous reports of a dose-dependent suppression of heroin self-administration in rat following DG-AVP pretreatment [14].