title: Inhibitory influence of catecholamines on prolactin release in the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo).
abstract: The involvement of catecholamines (CAs) in the control of prolactin (PRL) secretion was investigated in female turkeys. The birds were treated with DL-alpha-methyltyrosine methyl ester HCl (alpha-MT; 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg), diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC; 200 or 400 mg/kg), or phentolamine (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg), all antiadrenergic drugs. Reduction in central CAs by alpha-MT or DDC, or blockade of adrenergic receptors by phentolamine resulted in elevated serum PRL levels in a dose-dependent manner. Prior administration of the adrenergic stimulant clonidine (15, 150, or 1500 micrograms/kg) attenuated the elevated PRL response to phentolamine (20 mg/kg). These results are consistent with the view that the release of PRL in the turkey may be under the inhibitory influence of an adrenergic system.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology*; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology; D014422:Turkeys; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011388:Prolactin; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase