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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
07:23

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities

Published on: July 29, 2014

Plasticity of opioid receptors in the female periaqueductal gray: multiparity-induced increase in the activity of

Elizabeth Teodorov1, Maria M Bernardi, Merari F R Ferrari

  • 1Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, CEP: 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil.

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience : MN
|June 25, 2010
PubMed

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) has been reported as a potential site for opioid regulation of behavioral selection. Opioid-mediated behavioral and physiological responses differ between nulliparous and multiparous females. This study addresses the effects of multiple reproductive experiences on μ-, κ- and δ-opioid receptor (Oprm1, Oprk1, and Oprd1 respectively) gene activity and μ, κ and δ protein expression (MOR, KOR and DOR respectively) in the PAG of the female rats. This was done by evaluating the opioid gene expression using real-time (RT-PCR) and quantification of each protein receptor by Western blot analysis. The RT-PCR results show that multiple reproductive experiences increase Oprm1 and Oprk1 gene expression. Western blot analysis revealed increased MOR and KOR while DOR protein was decreased in multiparous animals. Taken together, these data suggest that multiple reproductive experiences influence both gene activity and opioid receptor expression in the PAG. Post-translational mechanisms seem particularly relevant for DOR expression. Thus, opioid transmission in the PAG might be modulated by different mechanisms of multiparity-induced plasticity according to the opioid receptor type.

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