Abstract
Following the demonstration of specific opiate receptors in the nervous system of vertebrates and the isolation of a number of endogenous opiate ligands (β-endorphin, enkephalins, dynorphins, and neoendorphins) for these receptors, it was suggested that interactions of endogenous opiate peptides with opiate receptors may be involved in regulating some physiological processes. Initially, the analgesic activity of the endogenous opiates was investigated. However, it was soon noticed that various types of stress stimulate the release of endogenous opiates, suggesting that endogenous opiates may be important in the adaptation of the organism to various stressful situations. Endorphins were also found to modulate the release of prolactin (PRL) and the gonadotropin hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary in humans and experimental animals and to influence the reproductive behavior in animals.
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© 1985 Plenum Publishing Corporation
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Gianoulakis, C., Chrétien, M. (1985). Endorphins in Fetomaternal Physiology. In: Gleicher, N. (eds) Principles of Medical Therapy in Pregnancy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2415-7_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2415-7_17
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9471-9
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