Effect of sulpiride on the adenohypophysis of castrated male rats. Immunocytochemistry and ultrastructural cytomorphometry.
Previous studies have shown that N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl] )-2-methoxy-5-sulfamoylbenzamide (sulpiride), a psychotrophic drug of clinical use, is a potent antidopaminergic agent, and acts on prolactin and gonadotroph secretions. Cytological changes caused by the effects of this drug were studied in castrated male rats treated with daily doses of sulpiride 5 mg/100 g body weight. Animals were sacrificed 2 months after treatment and their hypophyses processed for cytological and immunohistochemical studies. Cytomorphometry was carried out at the ultrastructural level. An immunocytochemical study was performed with peroxidase-labelled antibody to determine PRL, FSH and LH hormones in gland sections. The administration of sulpiride produced a decrease in granules of prolactin cells. Only the Golgi region showed a positive prolactin reaction and the cytomorphometric study indicated an increase of the area occupied by the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. In gonadotrophs, treatment with sulpiride decreased the vacuolatin caused by castration. The area occupied by the endoplasmic reticulum was smaller, whereas that occupied by secretion granules and lysosomes became larger. It is suggested that sulpiride treatment increased markedly the mammotroph activity and decreased the gonadotroph one, restoring the vacuolation of the endoplasmic reticulum vacuolation to normal.
D000818:Animals; D001491:Basophils / Q000378:metabolism; D002369:Castration; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011388:Prolactin / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013469:Sulpiride; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone