Effect of delayed weaning on opioid receptor control of swim stress‐induced antinociception in the developing rat

1 The opioid type of swim‐stress induced antinociception (SIA) is mediated via μ‐sites in preweanling rats and predominantly by δ‐sites in postweanling animals. We have studied the effect of delay of weaning on the receptor transition of this behaviour in the developing rat. 2 Litters were weaned normally at day 21 or allowed to remain with their mothers until assessment of swim SIA. Animals were stressed by warm water (20°C) swimming for 3 min periods and antinociception assessed by the tail immersion test (50°C). 3 Naloxone (10 mg kg−1) partially reversed swim SIA in both 25 day old weaned and non‐weaned rats. 4 Naltrindole (1 mg kg−1) partially reversed swim SIA in 25 day old weaned rats but had no effect in non‐weaned animals. Naltrindole (5 mg kg−1) completely abolished swim SIA in weaned rats but was without effect in non‐weaned groups. Antinociceptive responses to the μ‐agonist, alfentanil (60 μg kg−1) were unaffected by naltrindole at 1 mg kg−1 but were partially reversed at 5 mg kg−1. 5 In 30 day old non‐weaned rats, naltrindole (5 mg kg−1) abolished the swim SIA. 6 In conclusion, transition from μ‐ to δ‐receptor control of swim SIA in rat pups can be delayed by between 5 and 10 days by delay of weaning. The environmental stimulus of weaning can activate opioid receptor subtype operation of biological responses in the developing animal.