The Ultrastructural Basis For Increased Prolactin Synthesis and Release From Anterior Pituitary Glands of Estrogen-Progesterone Primed Ovariectomized Rats: Correlated Electron Microscopy and Radioimmunoassay

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 564-565
Author(s):  
P. W. Coates ◽  
C. A. Blake ◽  
D. S. Maxwell ◽  
C. H. Sawyer
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Virgin Female ◽  
Estradiol Benzoate ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Prolactin Synthesis

In rats, physiological studies show that ovariectomy results in a reduced concentration of circulating prolactin. Conversely, ovariectomized rats given estrogen have elevated serum prolactin and increased amounts of prolactin in the anterior pituitary gland. Separate electron microscopic studies suggest modifications in fine structure of prolactin producing (LTH) cells based on relatively large cumulative amounts of estrogen given alone or with comparably high doses of progesterone to adult virgin female or ovariectomized rats. This study was undertaken to provide a correlated morphological and physiological investigation of LTH cells and prolactin levels in a model commonly used by many researchers.Six to seven weeks after bilateral ovariectomy, a group of adult female rats was primed by a subcutaneous injection of 50 ng of estradiol benzoate and 25 mg of progesterone.

scholarly journals Biosynthesis and degradation of prolactin in the rat anterior pituitary gland. Time course of incorporation of label in vitro and evidence for rapid degradation

1979 ◽  
Vol 182 (3) ◽  
pp. 735-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Shenai ◽  
M Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Physiological Mechanism ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Apparent Decrease ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Prolactin Synthesis ◽  
Most Probable Explanation

Biosynthesis of prolactin was studied in anterior pituitary glands from female rats, incubated in vitro. In this system [3H]leucine was incorporated into pituitary proteins, including somatotropin (growth hormone) and prolactin. The rate of uptake of label into prolactin (and to a lesser extent into total protein) slowed considerably during the first 2 h of incubation, although the rate of uptake into somatotropin was constant for 8 h. The most probable explanation for this apparent decrease in the rate of prolactin synthesis is degradation of prolactin in the gland. Degradation of this hormone was also demonstrated by incubating prelabelled pituitaries in unlabelled medium and following the content of labelled prolactin, and by studying the hormonal content of pituitary glands (by radioimmunoassay) before and after incubation. Degradation of prolactin appears to be much more rapid than that of somatotropin, and may represent a physiological mechanism whereby over-accumulation of prolactin is prevented when secretion of the hormone has been rapidly switched off.

EVIDENCE OF ANTAGONISM BETWEEN PROLACTIN AND GONADOTROPHIN SECRETION: EFFECT OF METHALLIBURE ON PERPHENAZINE-INDUCED PROLACTIN SECRETION IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

1971 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. BEN-DAVID ◽  
A. DANON ◽  
F. G. SULMAN
Keyword(s):  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Virgin Female ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Pituitary Cells ◽  
Similar Treatment ◽  
Gonadotrophin Secretion ◽  
High Doses

SUMMARY Perphenazine has previously been shown to stimulate prolactin secretion in intact and to a lesser degree in ovariectomized virgin female rats. The question whether the oversecretion of gonadotrophins (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) occurring in ovariectomized animals interferes with the ability of the pituitary cells to secrete prolactin was investigated in sham-operated and ovariectomized rats after separate and combined treatment with methallibure (ICI-33828, a non-steroidal gonadotrophin suppressor) and perphenazine which served as a prolactin releaser. Pituitary and serum prolactin were measured simultaneously by radioimmunoassay. Serum prolactin detected at the end of 5 days' treatment with perphenazine (5 mg/kg/day, s.c.) was found to be increased (81 ng/ml) compared with controls (29 ng/ml). Similar treatment given to ovariectomized animals increased serum prolactin levels from 13·7 ng/ml to only 27 ng/ml. Although high doses of methallibure alone (20 mg/kg/day, s.c.) given to ovariectomized rats for 17 days restored prolactin secretion to the levels occurring in intact non-treated animals, a dose of 10 mg was ineffective. However, when 10 mg methallibure were given to perphenazine-treated ovariectomized rats, serum prolactin rose again to 80·1 ng/ml. These results provide substantial evidence that, when the pituitary is secreting high amounts of gonadotrophin, its prolactin secretion is reduced and its ability to secrete prolactin after perphenazine challenge is limited. Once the gonadotrophic oversecretion is suppressed, more prolactin is secreted and the pituitary can again secrete high amounts of prolactin when challenged by perphenazine. The results show that in rats there exists an antagonism between gonadotrophin and prolactin secretion.

Autonomous FSH synthesis in vitro in anterior pituitary glands and grafts from female rats

1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. M. J. van Dieten ◽  
J. de Koning ◽  
G. P. van Rees
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Intact Female ◽  
Pituitary Glands

ABSTRACT When pituitary glands from intact female, but not from ovariectomized rats, are incubated for 8 h in medium TC199 without further additives, FSH is synthesized. This LHRH-independent (or autonomous) FSH synthesis is prevented when bovine follicular fluid (bFF) is added to the incubation medium. Results from preliminary experiments, however, indicate no clear autonomous FSH synthesis after long-term absence of LHRH. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms involved in autonomous FSH synthesis and release, pituitary glands (exposed to endogenous LHRH) and pituitary grafts (not exposed to endogenous LHRH) from intact and ovariectomized rats were incubated for 8 h in medium TC199. Total FSH content (FSH released plus FSH remaining in the tissue) was compared with that in non-incubated glands or grafts, giving an indication of FSH synthesis. In addition, some of the animals were given LHRH pulses for 40 h before incubation. When pituitary tissue was taken from intact female rats, FSH synthesis occurred in the animals' own glands and in grafts from LHRH-pretreated rats. No FSH synthesis was seen in ovariectomized rats with or without pretreatment with bFF and/or LHRH. However, when ovariectomized rats had been pretreated with oestrogen, FSH synthesis was measured in vitro after pulsatile LHRH treatment in vivo. The results indicate that autonomous FSH synthesis in vitro is dependent upon previous (in vivo) exposure of the glands to both oestrogen and LHRH. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 27–33

Effects of long-term administration of high doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate on hormone receptors and target organs in the female rat

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Di Carlo ◽  
S. Racca ◽  
G. Conti ◽  
E. Gallo ◽  
G. Muccioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ◽  
Prolactin Receptor ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
Term Administration ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
High Doses

ABSTRACT The changes in oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin receptor levels in target organs, and the macroscopic and microscopic modifications of uterus, ovary, adrenal and pituitary gland induced by long-term administration of high doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) were investigated in female rats. Medroxyprogesterone acetate was injected i.m. for 30 days at daily doses of 7·5, 15 and 75 mg/kg. Oestrogen and/or progesterone-binding capacities were remarkably reduced at all doses of MPA used both in the uterus and pituitary gland. Furthermore, MPA caused a very evident reduction in the weight of pituitary glands, ovaries, adrenals and uterus. In all MPA-treated rats corpora lutea were absent from the ovaries, whereas the adrenals showed a significant reduction in the thickness of the cortex. In accordance with this, there was no evidence of ACTH-producing cells in the pituitary glands. Prolactin-producing cells were also absent, while GH-producing cells were present. Serum prolactin levels were significantly reduced at all doses of MPA used. A dramatic reduction of prolactin receptor concentrations was observed in the liver and the ovaries of MPA-treated rats. The results suggest that MPA acts as an antioestrogenic drug both by reducing the number of oestrogen receptors in target tissues and by changing the structure (and perhaps the function) of those organs (pituitary glands, ovaries and adrenals) which are, directly or indirectly, a source of oestrogens. The decreased synthesis of prolactin and the reduction of the number of prolactin receptors (which, on the contrary, are both increased by oestrogens) might be considered as additional antioestrogenic effects of MPA. J. Endocr. (1984) 103, 287–293

Cell-density dependence of the rate of prolactin secretion from perifused rat anterior pituitary cells

1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bentley ◽  
M. Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Density Dependence ◽  
Cell Density ◽  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Pituitary Cells ◽  
The Third ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Prolactin Content ◽  
Perifusion System

Anterior pituitary glands from female rats were dispersed enzymically in the absence of dopamine. Dispersed cells (106–107) were layered onto columns containing Bio-Gel P-2 and were then perifused for 3 h with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium. The prolactin content of the perifusate and cell homogenates was determined by radioimmunoassay. Prolactin secretion during the third hour of perifusion increased as the loading of cells increased. However, the increase was not linear, and when secretion rate per 106 cells was calculated it was found that increased loading decreased the rate, which fell to a plateau of 1·3 ± 0·1 (s.e.m.) ng/min per 106 cells at a loading of about 8 × 106 cells from 3·8 ± 0·1 ng/min per 106 cells for a loading of 106 cells. This cell-density dependence of the rate of prolactin secretion in the perifusion system may be due to intercellular contact since the isolation of the tissue removes the influence of hypothalamic factors, while localized build up of prolactin (potentially causing direct autoregulation on the lactotroph) seems unlikely because of the continuous flow of medium.

THE CORPUS LUTEUM-HYPOPHYSIS RELATIONSHIP: THE EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE TREATMENT ON THE RELEASE OF GONADOTROPHINS IN THE RAT

1966 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Kaufman ◽  
I. Rothchild
Keyword(s):  
Female Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Significant Elevation ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Progesterone Treatment ◽  
Gonadotrophin Secretion ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Weight Method

ABSTRACT The effect of progesterone on pituitary gonadotrophin release has been studied in the rat. Castrated female rats bearing ovarian autotransplants, or unilaterally ovariectomized rats, were given 1 to 5 mg of progesterone daily for intervals from 7 to 28 days, and then killed. The ovaries, uteri, and vaginas were examined grossly and microscopically, and the pituitary glands were assayed for total gonadotrophin content by the mouse uterine weight method. Although treatment with 5 mg of progesterone for 28 days inhibited ovulation, it did not prevent Graafian follicle development (determined histologically) or secretory function (evaluated by the presence of vaginal mucification) in either of the animal preparations. Progesterone treatment was associated with a significant elevation of pituitary gonadotrophic potency in the castrated rats bearing ovarian autotransplants, but not in the unilaterally ovariectomized rats. These findings suggest that the tonic rate of gonadotrophin secretion is unaffected by treatment with 5 mg of progesterone daily. The acute discharge of the ovulation inducing hormone complex (probably primarily LH) is, however, inhibited by such a dose of progesterone, and probably accounts for the inhibition of ovulation. The findings also suggest that the amount of progesterone secreted by the functioning corpora lutea during pseudopregnancy in the rat is equivalent in effect to between 2 and 5 mg of progesterone injected once daily.

The sensitivity of prolactin secretion to dopamine changes during pregnancy in mice

1986 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-571
Author(s):  
Stacey R. Swartz ◽  
Linda Ogren ◽  
Frank Talamantes
Keyword(s):  
Dose Response ◽  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Response Curve ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Dose Response Curve ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Dopamine Concentration ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract. Pituitary responsiveness to dopamine was investigated on several days of pregnancy in the mouse. Sera and anterior pituitary glands were obtained at 09.00 and 18.00 h on day 5 of pregnancy and at 09.00 h on days 12 and 18, and the pituitaries were incubated for 5 h in several concentrations of dopamine (0, 5 × 10−10—5 × 10−7 m). Serum prolactin (Prl) concentration was the highest on day 5 (18.00 h sample), followed by day 18 (09.00 h), day 5 (09.00 h) and day 12 (09.00 h). Pituitary responsiveness to dopamine was assessed on each day of pregnancy by determining the slopes of dose-response curves in which the Prl concentration of the medium was plotted as a function of dopamine concentration. The slope of the dose-response curve for pituitaries from day 12 or pregnancy was significantly steeper than the slopes of the curves for pituitaries from days 5 and 18, which did not differ from each other. These data suggest that the Prl secretion mechanism is more sensitive to inhibition by dopamine on day 12 of pregnancy, when serum Prl concentration is very low, than on days 5 or 18, when serum Prl concentrations are higher. One of the mechanisms by which circulating Prl concentrations are reduced to very low levels during midpregnancy in the mouse may be increased pituitary sensitivity to dopamine.

Modulation of pituitary responsiveness to LHRH by androgens in ovariectomized female rats

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-192
Author(s):  
Padmaja N. Kulkarni ◽  
Alan A. Simpson ◽  
William H. Moger
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Estradiol Benzoate ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone ◽  
Daily Dose ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Pronounced Inhibition

The effect of androgens on pituitary response to luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and their ability to modify effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on pituitary responsiveness to LHRH were tested in ovariectomized rats maintained on a daily dose of 0.25 μg estradiol benzoate per rat for 6 d before androgen administration.Testosterone propionate (TP) (4, 40, 400, or 4000 μg per rat), administered 24 h before LHRH (500 ng per rat), had no significant effect on luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) response. Similar doses of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) did not significantly alter the LH response but significantly suppressed the FSH response. Even the lowest dose completely blocked the FSH response to LHRH. TP in combination with 4 or 400 μg of E2 suppressed the stimulatory effect of E2 on both LH and FSH response to LHRH in a dose-related manner. DHT and E2 in combination affected LH response inconsistently, whereas their ratio determined FSH response; there was pronounced inhibition of FSH response in rats given high doses of DHT combined with low doses of E2; DHT inhibition of FSH response in animals receiving 4 μg of DHT with 400 μg E2 was partially overcome by the stimulatory effect of E2. Our results indicate that TP and DHT affect LH and FSH response to LHRH differently. The ratio of androgen to estrogen is important in determining the response to LHRH.

EFFECTS OF NALOXONE ON LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND PROLACTIN IN SERUM OF RATS

1980 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. BLANK ◽  
A. E. PANERAI ◽  
H. G. FRIESEN
Keyword(s):  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Immature Female ◽  
Subcutaneous Injections ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Opiate Peptides ◽  
Lh Release ◽  
Lh Secretion

The effects of subcutaneous injections of the opiate antagonist naloxone on the tonic and phasic secretion of prolactin and LH were studied in rats. During development, resting levels of prolactin in serum were decreased by naloxone (2·5 mg/kg body wt) on days 24,45 and 50 in female rats and on days 28,45 and 50 in male rats. In the adult, naloxone (2·5 mg/kg body wt) decreased basal levels of serum prolactin in male rats and levels during oestrus in female rats. In 25-day-old female rats, serum LH rose from resting levels within 7·5 min of naloxone administration (2·5 mg/kg body wt) and returned to pretreatment levels by 30 min, while prolactin fell by 7·5 min and remained low for as long as 60 min after treatment. Furthermore, a tenfold lower dose of naloxone (0·25 mg/kg body wt) did not raise basal levels of serum LH but still decreased resting levels of serum prolactin in immature female rats (24 days old). The effect of naloxone (2·5 mg/kg body wt) on phasic LH release was studied in 29-day-old immature female rats primed on day 27 with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG). In these PMSG-treated rats the onset of the prolactin surge was blunted by naloxone while it had no effect on phasic LH release. Naloxone (5 mg/kg body wt) also induced a rise in levels of serum LH in ovariectomized rats and, if administered with morphine, it reversed the short-term inhibition of LH secretion caused by morphine. However, naloxone was ineffective after pretreatment with oestradiol benzoate. These findings suggest that the responses of serum LH and prolactin to naloxone were dissociated and that oestrogens and opiate peptides may have interacted to regulate secretion of LH.

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