Continuous social defeat induces an increase of endogenous opioids in discrete brain areas of the mongolian gerbil |
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Authors: | A Raab B R Seizinger A Herz |
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Affiliation: | 1. Zoologisches Institut der Universität, Luisenstr. 14, 8000 München 2 FRG;1. Max-Plank-Institut fur Psychiatrie, Department of Neuropharmacology, Am Klopferspitz 18a 8033 Martinsried-München FR Germany |
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Abstract: | Dyads of a victor and a loser of mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) coexisted for seven days; isolated animals served as a further experimental group. beta-Endorphin, Met-enkephalin and dynorphin were measured in several brain areas and in the anterior and neurointermediate pituitary. beta-Endorphin and Met-enkephalin were increased in the amygdala of defeated as compared to victorious animals. Met-enkephalin in the hypothalamus and in the striatum were lower in isolated than in coexisting gerbils. Coexistence decreased beta-endorphin in the amygdala and in the hypothalamus as compared to isolation. The results provide biochemical evidence for the role of central endogenous opioid-peptide systems in the physiology of victory and defeat. Dynorphin showed no variation with social conflict and social status. |
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Keywords: | β-Endorphin Met-enkephalin Dynorphin Social conflict Victory Defeat Analgesia Hypothalamus Striatum Amygdala Pituitary |
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