WET-DOG SHAKING IN THE RAT - POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF A KAPPA OPIATE RECEPTOR

Ketocyclazocine has been suggested as an agonist of an opiate receptor relatively insensitive to morphine and naloxone. Intraventricular injection of a low dose (2 nmol) of ketocyclazocine induced wet-dog shaking (WDS) in rats. This response was prevented by 10 mg/kg naloxone, but not 1 mg/kg. Wet-dog shaking has been previously reported following low doses of endorphins, but only high doses of morphine. The present results are consistent with the hypothesis that endorphin-induced WDS are mediated by a second class of opiate receptor. © 1979.