Characterization of pituitary mediation of stress-induced antinociception in rats

Antinociception, induced by continuous cold-water swims (CCWS) and certain parameters of inescapable foot shock, is reduced in hypophysectomized rats receiving supplements of corticosterone and l-thyroxine. To assess which lobe of the pituitary gland is involved in this effect, the first experiment compared the effects of total hypophysectomy and posterior lobectomy in supplemented rats upon CCWS antinociception on the tail-flick and jump tests and upon continuous inescapable foot shock antinociception on the tail-flick test. Total hypophysectomy, but not posterior lobectomy, significantly reduced CCWS antinociception on both tests in supplemented rats relative to sham surgery. Both total and posterior hypophysectomy either reduced or potentiated foot shock antinociception as functions of shock intensity or duration of exposure in supplemented rats. To assess whether hormonal supplementation is necessary for the observed effects, the second experiment examined CCWS antinociception in sham-operated and hypophysectomized rats that received either no hormonal supplements or corticosterone and/or l-thyroxine. These regimens failed to alter CCWS antinociception in sham-operated rats. Treatment of hypophysectomized rats with corticosterone and l-thyroxine either separately or together significantly reduced CCWS antinociception. In contrast, if hypophysectomized rats did not receive supplements, CCWS antinociception was significantly potentiated relative to sham-operated controls. These effects could not be attributed to treatment-induced changes in either body weight or CCWS hypothermia. These data suggest that the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex are involved in the mediation and/or maintenance of CCWS antinociception.