In women, hyperprolactinemia is often due to a prolactin (PRL)-secreting adenoma or PRL cell hyperplasia. RRL excess stimulates the mammary glands and causes proliferation of the alveolar epithelium. Bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, inhibits PRL secretion and is given to women to treat nonpuerperal galactorrhea. Old female rats have been reported to have PRL cell hyperplasia or adenoma leading to PRL hypersecretion and breast stimulation. Herein, we describe the effect of bromocriptine and consequently the reduction in serum PRL levels on the ultrastructure of rat mammary glands.Female Long-Evans rats, 23 months of age, were divided into control and bromocriptine-treated groups. The control animals were injected subcutaneously once daily with a 10% ethanol vehicle and were later divided into a normoprolactinemic control group with serum PRL levels under 30 ng/ml and a hyperprolactinemic control group with serum PRL levels above 30 ng/ml.
