Morphine signaling in <i>Bos taurus and Equus caballus</i>

Kirk J. Mantione

eISSN: 1896-9151
ISSN: 1734-1922

Archives of Medical Science

Current issue Archive Special issues Abstracting and indexing Subscription

Editorial System

Submit your Manuscript

Editorial Policies

Sarajevo Declaration on Integrity and Visibility of Scholarly Publications

4/2009
vol. 5

Send email

Copy url:

abstract:

Morphine signaling in Bos taurus and Equus caballus

Kirk J. Mantione

Arch Med Sci 2009; 5, 4: 613-617

Online publish date: 2009/12/30

View full text Get citation

The presence of morphine and the mu opioid receptor has been demonstrated in cells from the nervous, endocrine, immune, vascular, reproductive, respiratory, and digestive systems of mammals. The understanding of morphinergic signaling in domestic animals is vital for properly managing this commercially valuable resource. This review discusses the known functions of mu opioid receptors in Bos taurus and Equus caballus. Morphine has been shown to regulate the release of hormones and neurotransmitters in these animals in diverse tissues. The mu opioid receptor is also present on equine gametes and controls key functions of these reproductive cells. Evidence for the presence of the mu opioid receptors in bovine blood, heart, spleen and bone marrow is discussed. Given the widespread occurrence of mu opiate processes it is surmised that it transcend functions only focused on pain.

keywords:

Morphine signaling in Bos taurus and Equus caballus

Kirk J. Mantione

morphine receptor, endocrine, domestic animals, equine, cattle