HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Aguilar, E. Articles by Pinilla, L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Aguilar, E. Articles by Pinilla, L.

Serotoninergic control of prolactin secretion in prepubertal male rats

Aguilar E, Ranchal A, Tena-Sempere M, Pinilla L. Serotoninergic control of prolactin secretion in prepubertal male rats. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;131:547–54. ISSN 0804–4643

The role of the serotoninergic system in the control of prolactin (PRL) secretion has been studied in prepubertal male rats. Serum PRL concentration was measured in 16-day-old male rats at different times after the administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, alone or in combination with fluoxetine, a specific inhibitor of 5-HT uptake; DL-p-parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA), an inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis; and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), a selective agonist of 5-HT_1A receptors. Also, serum PRL concentration and pituitary content were measured after 5-HTP administration in castrated males implanted with silastic capsules containing testosterone or 5-androstane-3,17β-diol (-diol). We found that: the reduction in serotoninergic activity after PCPA administration did not modify serum PRL concentrations; the stimulatory effect of 5-HTP on PRL secretion was not observed before day 16; the effects of 5-HTP or 5-HTP and fluoxetine were similar in intact and orchidectomized males; a significant increase in PRL secretion took place after 8-OH-DPAT administration; the duration of the stimulatory effect of 5-HTP increased after -diol treatment; and pituitary PRL content increased after 5-HTP injection in intact males and decreased in castrated males treated with testosterone or -diol. Therefore, we conclude that: the PRL-releasing effect of 5-HTP remains after orchidectomy; activation of 5-HT_1A receptors may mediate, at least partially, the effect of 5-HTP; testosterone and -diol affect the duration of PRL release after 5-HTP administration differently; and testicular factors other than androgens might be involved in the effects of 5-HTP on PRL pituitary accumulation.

Enrique Aguilar, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Córdoba University, 14004 Córdoba, Spain