title: Stimulatory role for brain serotoninergic system on prolactin secretion in the male rat.
abstract: Systemic administration of parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 100 mg/kg sc on alternate days X two times), a blocker of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, considerably decreased brain 5-HT and plasma prolactin (PRL) levels in young male rats. Intraventricular (IVT) administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 200 mug/20 mul), a neurotoxic drug which destroys 5-HT nerve terminals, induced, 3, 12, and 30 days after treatment, a marked depletion of brain 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and considerably reduced plasma PRL levels at each time interval. Feeding of rat for up to 4 days with a tryptophan (TP)-deficient diet, caused a depletion of brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents and did not modify plasma PRL levels. Addition of TP (2 g/kg of diet) to the TP-deficient diet resulted in increased brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents and significantly increased PRL levels. These data provide evidence for the role of the 5-HT system in the maintenance of tonic PRL secretion.
mesh_terms: D015115:5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014364:Tryptophan; D011388:Prolactin; D010134:Fenclonine; D003891:Desipramine; D015115:5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine; D009638:Norepinephrine