title: Modulation of pituitary gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors during lactation in the rat.
abstract: Lactation is associated with a suppression of pituitary GnRH receptors (GnRH-R), and removal of the suckling stimulus for 24 h causes a 4- to 5-fold increase in GnRH-R. These studies were designed to examine the time course of recovery of GnRH-R after pup removal and to determine the roles that GnRH and PRL may play in modulating GnRH-R during lactation and after pup removal. All studies were performed on day 10 postpartum using ovariectomized rats suckling eight or zero pups. GnRH-R had more than doubled by 8 h after pup removal and had increased 4-5 times 16 h after pup removal to reach levels observed in nonsuckled controls. The increase in GnRH-R after pup removal resulted in a significant increase in pituitary responsiveness to GnRH. Maintenance of hyperprolactinemia after pup removal, by injecting ovine PRL, reduced the increase in GnRH-R by about 50%. Simultaneous administration of GnRH with ovine PRL restored GnRH-R to control levels. Administration of a potent antiserum to GnRH at the time of pup removal completely blocked the up-regulation of GnRH-R 24 h later. In the presence of the suckling stimulus and hyperprolactinemia, administration of pharmacological doses of GnRH caused a complete restoration of GnRH-R to levels observed in nonsuckled controls. Inhibition of suckling-induced PRL secretion with CB-154 caused a 2-fold increase in GnRH-R, and this effect could be completely reversed by simultaneous treatment with ovine PRL. These studies show that the suppression of pituitary GnRH-R during lactation appears to be due primarily to inhibition of GnRH secretion. After pup removal, recovery of GnRH-R occurs very rapidly, with recovery (4- to 5-fold increase) being completed by 16 h. Endogenous GnRH secretion is absolutely necessary for the up-regulation of GnRH-R to occur. The decrease in PRL levels after pup removal contributes to this process, most likely by causing an increase in GnRH secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania 15261.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007700:Kinetics; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone