Diazepam and endorphin independently inhibit ultrasonic distress calls in rats

Ultrasonic distress calls elicited in male rats by footshock under inescapable conditions were suppressed by diazepam. The suppression was blocked by pretreatment with Ro15-1788 or CGS8216, selective benzodiazepine receptor antagonists, while an opiate antagonist naloxone failed to modify the effect of diazepam. In contrast, naloxone antagonized but Ro15-1788 and CGS8216 did not antagonize beta-endorphin which also suppressed the ultrasonic vocalization. These findings suggest that benzodiazepine and opioid receptors may contribute separately to antianxiety activity.