title: L-Dopa inhibits prolactin secretion in proestrous rats.
abstract: Female rats received an ip injection of L-dopa on the afternoon of proestrus. L-Dopa reduced serum prolactin concentrations within 1 h, whether administered just prior to, or during, the normal surge in serum hormone level. This inhibition lasted for 2-3 h, after which serum prolactin concentrations rose substantially. Pretreatment of proestrous rats with MK-486, a peripheral inhibitor of aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase, did not block the effect of L-dopa on serum prolactin levels. In fact, MK-486 pretreatment appeared to prolong the effectiveness of L-dopa. Pretreatment with RO4-4602 at a dose sufficient to block central decarboxylase activity, however, did prevent dopa from inhibiting the proestrous surge in serum prolactin. These data are consistent with a role for dopamine in the control of prolactin secretion and suggest that the mechanism of action of L-dopa apparently does not require peripheral decarboxylation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D001545:Benserazide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011359:Proestrus; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D007980:Levodopa; D001545:Benserazide; D011388:Prolactin; D002230:Carbidopa