Effect of cysteamine on suckling-induced prolactin secretion in the rat.
We have examined the effects of the thiol agent cysteamine on physiological prolactin secretion in the female rat. Administration of cysteamine completely abolishes suckling-induced prolactin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Cysteamine treatment does not alter nursing behavior of the mothers. Further, we have found that the prolactin-depleting ability of cysteamine is not altered by a prior suckling stimulus. These results indicate that cysteamine administration inhibits physiologically-induced prolactin secretion with similar potency and efficacy as previously reported for cysteamine effects on basal and pharmacologically-induced prolactin secretion. Furthermore, the effect of cysteamine is not compromised by a previous suckling stimulus, suggesting that "depletion-transformation" of pituitary prolactin stores does not protect against the effect of cysteamine.
Millard
W J
WJ
Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
O'Sullivan
D
D
Riskind
P N
PN
D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D003543:Cysteamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019856:Ethanolamine; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D004983:Ethanolamines; D019856:Ethanolamine; D003543:Cysteamine; D011388:Prolactin