Regulation of growth hormone secretion in nursing ewes: an involvement of μ-receptor subtype

Suckling by newborns induces a surge of lactogenic hormones, that is prolactin and growth hormone (GH), in mother's body, with endogenous opioid peptide (EOP) participating in generation of this surge. The aim of the current study was to investigate which types of opioid receptors are involved in generation of the GH surge in ewes during suckling. A series of intracerebroventricular infusions of opioid receptors antagonists: naloxone (for all types of receptors), naloxonazine (specific for μ receptor) and 5'-guanidinonaltrindole (GNTI--specific for κ receptor) and the vehicle (control) were performed in nursing sheep during the fifth week of lactation. All infusions were carried out in a serial manner: five 30-min infusions (60 μg/60 μl) from 10:00 to 15:00, at 30-min intervals. The period of the experiment consisted of the non-suckling (10:00-12:30) and suckling (12:30-15:00) periods. Simultaneously, blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals to determine plasma GH concentration by radioimmunoassay. Suckling evoked a rapid increase in GH concentration in control ewes. Naloxone and naloxonazine significantly decreased both the basal GH release in the non-suckling period and the suckling-induced GH surge. Specifically, the suppressive effect concerned either the duration or the amplitude of the GH surge. In contrast, GNTI did not significantly affect the GH release. In conclusion, the EOPs may affect the regulatory process of GH secretion in lactating sheep, especially through μ opioid receptor.