EFFECT OF MORPHINE ON THE RELEASE OF THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE STIMULATED BY EXPOSURE TO COLD, THYROIDECTOMY AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THYROTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONE IN MALE RATS

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Abstract
Morphine reduced the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which was stimulated by exposure to cold and by thyroidectomy as well as reducing the basal level of TSH in the serum of male rats. The inhibitory effect of morphine was antagonized by naloxone which did not enhance the basal or cold-induced TSH release. Pretreatment with morphine did not reduce the release of TSH induced by exogenous thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) but enhanced it. This effect of morphine was also antagonized by naloxone. The above results suggested that the effect of morphine in reducing levels of serum TSH was not mediated by blocking the effect of TRH on the anterior pituitary gland, but that it was probably mediated by the inhibition of the release of TRH.