Summary
Previous studies indicate that the pineal gland alters prolactin secretion, and it was suggested that at least part of the effect of the pineal hormone melatonin on prolactin release may be mediated by the hypothalamic structures. In this study, pinealectomy and lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei were found to alter serum levels of prolactin in the same direction, an effect that was counteracted by daily afternoon melatonin administration. Melatonin, but not other pineal indoles, also prevented sulpiride-induced prolactin secretion in pinealectomized or suprachiasmatic nuclei-lesioned and ovariectomized rats, which suggested that the pineal gland can modulate prolactin secretion by acting through a dopamine mechanism independent of hypothalamic suprachiasmatic structures.
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The authors thank Ms Karen Shashok for revising the English style. This work was supported in part by a grant GG85-0168 from the ‘Comisión Asesora de Investigación Cientifica y Ténica’. The NIAMDD, through the National Pituitary Agency, supplied the radioimmunoassay materials for prolactin determinations.
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Acuña, D., Fernandez, B., del Aguila, C.M. et al. Lesions in suprachiasmatic nuclei simulate effects of pinealectomy on prolactin release in ovariectomized and sulpiride-treated female rats. Experientia 45, 739–742 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01974574
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01974574