Dopaminergic mediation of Y -aminobutyric acid in the control of prolactin release: Plasma prolactin and brain tyrosine hydroxylase levels in ovariectomized conscious rats.

ABSTRACT

The present experiments were carried out to further elucidate the mechanism by which dopamine mediates the actions of Y-aminobutyric acid on prolactin release from anterior pituitary following its intraventricular injection in overiectomized conscious rats, YAminobutyric acid significantly suppressed the prolactin levels at 0.1 μmol concentration while at 4 μmol dose, the level was elevated. The activity of tyrosine hydroxylase was increased significantly in the anterior pituitary at the lower dose while the higher concentration of Yaminobutyric acid did not bring about any change in the activity both in the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary. The results presented suggest that intracellular dopamine in the anterior pituitary may directly inhibit prolactin release; the plasma prolactin level is elevated by Yaminobutyric acid, by way of either inhibiting dopaminergic tone or possible stimulation of a physiological prolactin releasin g hormone.