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Effects of prenatal exposure to morphine sulfate on reproductive function of female rats
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to morphine sulfate on the development of reproductive function in female rats. Female rats exposed to morphine sulfate in utero (5-10 mg/kg on days 5-12 of gestation) exhibited varying dates of vaginal opening and a partial inhibition in adult feminine sexual behavior when compared to controls. However, the estrogen binding capacity of hypothalamic cytosols from morphine- and saline-treated females was identical. While we cannot rule out the possibility that the observed changes in reproductive function were an indirect result of morphine-induced alterations in maternal physiology or behavior, these results suggest that the development of feminine sexual behavior can be influenced during the early prenatal period and that morphine sulfate can affect the process of feminization.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to morphine sulfate on the development of reproductive function in female rats. Female rats exposed to morphine sulfate in utero (5-10 mg/kg on days 5-12 of gestation) exhibited varying dates of vaginal opening and a partial inhibition in adult feminine sexual behavior when compared to controls. However, the estrogen binding capacity of hypothalamic cytosols from morphine- and saline-treated females was identical. While we cannot rule out the possibility that the observed changes in reproductive function were an indirect result of morphine-induced alterations in maternal physiology or behavior, these results suggest that the development of feminine sexual behavior can be influenced during the early prenatal period and that morphine sulfate can affect the process of feminization.