INTERACTIONS OF COCAINE AND DELTA-9-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL WITH THE HYPOTHALAMIC-HYPOPHYSIAL AXIS OF THE FEMALE RAT

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 35  (5) , 567-572
Abstract
The acute effects of cocaine [CC] and/or .DELTA.9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were studied in ovariectomized female rats. Intermediate doses of CC (10 or 20 mg/kg) caused an increase in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and a decrease in serum prolactin levels, whereas a higher dose (40 mg/kg caused a decrease in serum LH. THC (10 mg/kg) attenuated serum LH and prolactin levels. The THC effect on LH was blocked by CC. Neither drug alone or in combination affected serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels. The CC-induced changes in LH levels were closely paralleled by changes in hypothalamic norepinephrine content, suggesting a neurochemical basis for CC action on LH release.