| Abstract: | The effects of sulpiride, a specific dopamine receptor antagonist, on the levels of immunoreactive β-endorphin (ir-β-END) in discrete hypothalamic nuclei of rats were investigated. Single injections of sulpiride significantly decreased the levels of ir-β-END in the nucleus arcuatus, nucleus paraventricularis and median eminence. Repeated injections of sulpiride significantly increased the levels of ir-β-END in the nucleus arcuatus, nucleus periventricularis and median eminence. These findings suggest that β-endorphinergic neurons are under dopaminergic control. |
