title: Serotoninergic control of prolactin secretion in prepubertal male rats.
abstract: The role of the serotoninergic system in the control of prolactin (PRL) secretion has been studied in prepubertal male rats. Serum PRL concentration was measured in 16-day-old male rats at different times after the administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, alone or in combination with fluoxetine, a specific inhibitor of 5-HT uptake; DL-p-parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA), an inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis; and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), a selective agonist of 5-HT1A receptors. Also, serum PRL concentration and pituitary content were measured after 5-HTP administration in castrated males implanted with silastic capsules containing testosterone or 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (alpha-diol). We found that: the reduction in serotoninergic activity after PCPA administration did not modify serum PRL concentrations; the stimulatory effect of 5-HTP on PRL secretion was not observed before day 16; the effects of 5-HTP or 5-HTP and fluoxetine were similar in intact and orchidectomized males; a significant increase in PRL secretion took place after 8-OH-DPAT administration; the duration of the stimulatory effect of 5-HTP increased after alpha-diol treatment; and pituitary PRL content increased after 5-HTP injection in intact males and decreased in castrated males treated with testosterone or alpha-diol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Córdoba University, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranchal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tena-Sempere
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pinilla
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; D012701:Serotonin; D013739:Testosterone; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D011388:Prolactin; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan