A Possible Dual Mechanism Involved in the Inhibitory Influence of Suckling on Luteinizing Hormone Release in the Ovariectomized Rat1

A study was conducted to further understand involvement of the endogenous opioid peptides in suckling-induced inhibition of LH release in ovariectomized rats. The first experiment was designed to determine the effect of an opioid antagonist, naloxone (NAL, 1.0 mg. kg-1h-1), on the increase in peripheral LH concentration 18 h after pup removal and on the decrease in LH concentration 18 h after pup return. Infusion of NAL during the 18 h after pup removal or during the 18 h after pup return neither accentuated nor attenuated serum LH concentrations. The second experiment was designed to determine the effect of NAL on peripheral LH concentrations in continuously suckled rats. Serum LH increased (p less than 0.10 and p less than 0.005, respectively) in response to 18 and 36 h of NAL infusion. The third experiment was designed to determine the effect of pup removal during NAL infusion on serum LH. Peripheral LH concentrations were not different in the rats treated with 36 h of NAL infusion whether they were suckled for the duration of the infusion or nonsuckled for the last 18 h of infusion. These results suggest that suckling may inhibit LH release through two mechanisms. The first may be an opioid-independent or enhanced opioid tone mechanism important for the initiation of the inhibitory effect of suckling on LH release, while the second may be an opioid-dependent mechanism important for the sustained inhibitory effect of suckling on LH release.