Opiate-mediated control of luteinizing hormone in the male: Role in the development of narcotic tolerance and physical dependence

In this review, the possible involvement of opiate-induced perturbations in endocrine status in the development of narcotic tolerance and physical dependence will be discussed. Although the opiates affect a wide range of neuroendocrine axes, the discussion will be limited to their effects on the endocrine secretions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the male rat, since this system has been by far the most extensively examined. The review has been divided into three sections: the impact of opiates on the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis; the plasticity and physiological significance of endogenous opioid-mediated control of LHRH: and, finally, the preliminary data implicating opiate-induced alterations in hormonal status in the development of tolerance to and physical dependence on the narcotics.