Ether stress applied at 10.00 h induced a 100% increase in serum prolactin in intact and ovariectomized androgenized rats. Ovariectomy significantly diminished the basal serum prolactin values observed in intact androgenized rats. Two doses of progesterone (5 mg) given to intact and ovariectomized androgenized rats 14 and 2 h before exposure to ether stress increased prolactin values in the control groups but completely prevented the effect of stress. Exposure to ether stress induced a 100% increase in serum prolactin values in androgenized rats with increased serum progesterone levels 4 days after the induction of ovulation and the luteal phase with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A group of androgenized rats with induced maternal behaviour and which had been suckled for 6 days was given 100 i.u. hCG and suckled for another 6 days after the hCG-induced luteal phase had been established. The serum prolactin and progesterone values of these rats were significantly higher than those treated with hCG only and ether stress did not increase prolactin release. A greatly increased serum concentration of prolactin was obtained in pro-oestrous and oestrous virgin rats after exposure to ether stress. Serum prolactin was also increased by stress in male rats. Progesterone administration to these female and male rats prevented stress-induced prolactin release. To ascertain the part played by dopamine and serotonin in the effect of stress on prolactin release, groups of androgenized and oestrous female rats were treated with bromocriptine or p-chlorophenylalanine methylester hydrochloride (pCPA). The dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine markedly reduced prolactin levels in the unstressed androgenized rats, but did not prevent the prolactin increases induced by stress. Administration of pCPA had no effect on basal or stress-increased serum levels of prolactin. It is concluded that modifications of the ovarian steroid secretions, especially of progesterone, has profound effects on prolactin release in response to ether stress. The release of the hormone was not mediated by a dopaminergic or serotonergic regulatory pathway.
J. Endocr. (1986) 110, 423–428
Journal of Endocrinology is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 9 | 6 | 0 |
Online ISSN: 1479-6805
Print ISSN: 0022-0795
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519
