Effect of Orphanin FQ/Nociceptin (OFQ/N) and Isoflurane on the Prolactin Secretory Response in OFQ/N Knockout Mice

摘要

The prolactin secretory response to subcutaneous injection of orphanin FQociceptin (OFQ/N) was measured in wild-type and OFQ/N knockout mice. These injections were given with and without isoflurane anesthesia, to determine if isoflurane would affect the prolactin secretory response. OFQ/N injection significantly increased prolactin levels in males and females, regardless of genotype, with a more robust response in females. Isoflurane pretreatment did not affect prolactin levels in controls or in animals injected with OFQ/N. This is the first report that exogenously administered OFQ/N stimulates prolactin secretion in mice and that brief isoflurane exposure does not significantly affect this response.