MDMA produces a conditioned place preference and elicits ejaculation in male rats: a modulatory role for the endogenous opioids.
E J Bilsky, C L Hubbell, J D Delconte, L D Reid
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior October 1, 1991 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(91)90577-o (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Conditioned place preference study in rats Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Interventions | MDMA naltrexone |
| Dose | naltrexone 56 mg/kg, MDMA 6.3 mg/kg |
| Duration | 8 days of conditioning; second study assessed effects across 3 h |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Animals Rats, inbred strains N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Naltrexone Tropanes Endorphins Serotonin antagonists Conditioning, operant Ejaculation Urination Defecation Male |
| Key points | Naltrexone attenuated MDMA's ability to produce a conditioned place preference without completely blocking it, and over two-thirds of rats given MDMA plus naltrexone left seminal plugs versus roughly half of those given MDMA alone. MDMA also elicited ejaculation and increased urination, defecation, and body weight loss. The authors argue these results support suggestions that endogenous opioids modulate the reinforcing properties of stimulant drugs and affect male sexuality. |
Abstract
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) can produce a conditioned place preference (CPP) among rats. The ability of MDMA to produce a CPP was assessed while some rats were under the influence of naltrexone, 56 mg/kg, given 4 h before conditioning. Naltrexone attenuated MDMA's ability to produce a CPP without completely blocking MDMA's effects. Having noticed previously the production of seminal plugs by rats receiving MDMA, the presence of seminal plugs was recorded across the 8 days of conditioning. Roughly half of the rats receiving 6.3 mg/kg of MDMA left plugs during the conditioning period, while over two-thirds of those receiving a combination of MDMA and naltrexone left plugs. A second study, assessing further doses of MDMA, tabulated the drug's effects on the production of seminal plugs across 3 h. Besides eliciting ejaculation, MDMA also led to increased urination and defecation and a loss of body weight. These results support suggestions that the endogenous opioids modulate the reinforcing properties of stimulant drugs and affect male sexuality.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
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- Use and abuse of dissociative and psychedelic drugs in adolescence Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior January 27, 2021
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Cites 6
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced hyperthermia and neurotoxicity are independently mediated by 5-HT2 receptors Brain Research October 1, 1990
- MDMA and Human Sexual Function Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- ECSTACY: A Review of MDMA and MDA The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine December 1, 1987
- The threshold lowering effects of MDMA (ecstasy) on brain-stimulation reward. Psychopharmacology 1988
- Self-injection of d,1-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the baboon. Psychopharmacology 1987
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