Document Type
Article
Version Deposited
Published Version
Publication Date
11-13-2024
Publication Title
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
DOI
10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1473164
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Increasing evidence indicates that sex is a factor that impacts the abuse liability and relapse vulnerability of prescription opioids like oxycodone. However, while women are more likely than men to be prescribed and to use these drugs, the impact of sex and ovarian hormones on prescription opioid use and relapse vulnerability remains unclear. Accurately assessing these measures is complicated by the fact that chronic opioid exposure can lower ovarian hormone levels and cause cycle irregularities.
METHODS: Adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered oxycodone (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) under extended-access conditions (6 h/day, 10 days) followed by forced abstinence. Separate groups of animals received cue-induced seeking tests in a drug-free state during early (1-2 days) or later periods of abstinence (43-45 days). To track estrous cycle stage, animals were regularly vaginally swabbed throughout the study.
RESULTS: We observed oxycodone-induced estrous cycle dysregulation in the majority (~60%) of the animals during both self-administration and the first month of abstinence. In animals whose cycles were not dysregulated, we found a reduction in oxycodone intake during estrus compared to all other cycle stages (non-estrus). We also found that males but not females showed a time-dependent intensification or incubation of cue-induced oxycodone craving over the first 6 weeks of abstinence. This sex difference was estrous cycle-dependent, driven by a selective reduction in drug seeking during estrus.
DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the importance of tracking drug-induced estrous cyclicity and identify a clear impact of ovarian hormones on oxycodone taking and seeking behavior.
Recommended Citation
Patel, Bhumiben P and Loweth, Jessica A, "Effects of Sex and Estrous Cycle on Extended-Access Oxycodone Self-Administration and Cue-Induced Drug Seeking Behavior" (2024). Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research. 242.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/som_facpub/242
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Published Citation
Patel BP and Loweth JA (2024) Effects of sex and estrous cycle on extended-access oxycodone self-administration and cue-induced drug seeking behavior. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 18:1473164. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1473164
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Chemical and Pharmacologic Phenomena Commons, Heterocyclic Compounds Commons, Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons, Women's Health Commons