Effects of naltrexone and CCK on estrous behavior and food intake in Syrian hamsters

Food deprivation inhibits estrous behavior in several species of rodents, but little is known about the neurotransmitter systems mediating this phenomenon. We determined whether partial blockade of opioid receptors by continuous infusion of naltrexone and/or acute peripheral injection of cholecystokinin (CCK) administration would overcome the suppressive effects of food deprivation on estrous behavior in Syrian hamsters. Contrary to expectation, naltrexone produced a slight suppression of estrous behavior, and systemic CCK administration had no effect. This dose of naltrexone was sufficient to reduce in vivo binding of [(3)H]naloxone in the brain, and both compounds affected other parameters such as food intake and body weight gain. Thus, the doses of CCK and naltrexone that were used were physiologically effective. These findings suggest that neither peripheral CCK nor opioid systems are likely to play a major role in the suppression of hamster estrous behavior by food deprivation.