beta-Funaltrexamine (beta-FNA) and the regulation of body and brain development in rats

The effects of beta-FNA, a highly selective and irreversible mu opioid receptor antagonist, in altering body and brain development in preweaning rats were determined. Animals given beta-FNA did not differ from controls in body weights, brain and cerebellar weights, macroscopic dimensions of the brain, the area of the cerebellum, or in organ weight. The dosage of beta-FNA utilized (5 mg/kg) blocked morphine-induced analgesia (2 mg/kg morphine sulfate, SC) for each injection period (i.e., 48 hr). In contrast to beta-FNA treatment, rats given naltrexone (50 mg/kg SC) in a regimen which completely blocked the opioid receptor throughout ontogeny exhibited marked increases in somatic and neurobiological growth. These results suggest that, in and by themselves, mu receptors selectively antagonized by beta-FNA do not play an important role in regulating development.