RESUMO
Objective To investigate effects of heroin on prolactin(PRL) mRNA in female rats.Methods Fifty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups(10 rats each group): control,heroin-treated-3 d,heroin-treated-9 d,heroin-withdrawal-3 d and heroin-withdrawal-9 d groups.PRL mRNA of pituitary was assessed by(RT-PCR) and PRL concentration in rat plasma was determined by radioimmunoassay(RIA).Results The expression levels of PRL mRNA of pituitary were declined significantly in heroin-treated-3 d,9 d and heroin-withdrawal-3 d groups compared with control group(P0.05)).Conclusion The PRL mRNA in the pituitary and the PRL concentration in plasma in female rats are decreased by heroin and the effect can not be reversed in a short term after heroin withdrawal.