Opioid regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene expression in the male rat brain as studied by in situ hybridization.

It is well documented that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release is negatively regulated by opiates. In order to investigate the role of opiates in the regulation of GnRH gene expression in the rat brain, we studied the effects of chronic administration of the opioid drug morphine and an opiate receptor antagonist naloxone on GnRH mRNA levels as measured by in situ hybridization. Four-day treatment with morphine (40 mg kg day-2) produced a 44% decrease in the number of silver grains overlying GnRH neurones. Conversely, naloxone (4 mg kg day-2) also administered during 4 days increased by hybridization signal by 22%. The concomitant administration of morphine and naloxone completely prevented the effect of morphine on GnRH gene expression indicating the inhibitory influence of morphine is likely to be mediated by opioid receptors. The present data clearly indicate that opiates can inhibit not only the release of GnRH and consequently LH secretion but also the biosynthesis of the neuropeptide as evaluated by mRNA level measurements.