Influence of lactotroph cell density on prolactin secretion in rats

1992 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Pasolli ◽  
A. I. Torres ◽  
A. Aoki

ABSTRACT The relationships between the stimulation of prolactin secretion and proliferation of lactotrophs was studied from a multidisciplinary standpoint in three experimental models. Administration of both oestrogen and sulpiride resulted in a significant increase in prolactin secretion and in the lactotroph population. A single injection of 10 μg oestradiol benzoate (OB) induced a twofold increase in the proliferation of lactotrophs (morphometrically as volume density), which increased further (2·5-fold) after three OB injections. Parallel changes were observed in the net counts made on lactotrophs sectioned through the nucleus to avoid possible distortions in volume density caused by hypertrophic cytoplasms. Comparable results were obtained with the mitotic index in the same groups of rats exposed to treatment with colchicine. The effect of sulpiride on proliferation of lactotrophs was also significant (1·7-fold) but less pronounced than in rats treated with oestrogens. The treatments with oestrogen and sulpiride did not stimulate lactotrophic activity in a similar way, as judged by the levels of serum prolactin and the storage patterns of small and big prolactin in pituitary glands. Serum prolactin (mean ± s.e.m.) in control ovariectomized rats was 4·0±0·9 μg/l and one and three injections of OB raised these levels to 14·4±5·0 and 28·8±4·6 μg/l respectively. The highest levels of serum prolactin were seen in sulpiride-treated rats (467·2±28·7 μg/l). Striking differences occurred in the pituitary contents of big prolactin, the control values increasing from 5·3±0·5 to 10·2±1·3 μg/mg after one OB injection and to 14· 7 ±0·7 μg/mg after three OB injections. In contrast, the concentration of big prolactin in sulpiride-treated rats was very low (1·85 ± 0·2 μg/mg), 2·8-times smaller than the controls. Other changes were also found in the small prolactin content in pituitary tissue with higher values in all the experimental models. These differences could only be detected after differential extraction of big and small molecular forms of prolactin. In ovariectomized rats, treatment with several doses of oestrogen enhanced the proliferation observed in the lactotroph population and increased the number of mitoses. In turn, morphological data could be closely related to the higher levels of prolactin in serum and pituitary glands. A sustained stimulation of lactotrophic secretion was always followed by proliferation of lactotrophs, the number of which fluctuated in parallel with the degree of stimulation. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 134, 241–246

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Franks ◽  
H. D. Mason ◽  
K. I. J. Shennan ◽  
M. C. Sheppard

ABSTRACT We have studied the effect of oestradiol (OE2) on secretion of prolactin and TSH by rat pituitary glands and correlated this with changes in hypothalamic content and release of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH). Ovariectomized Wistar rats received s.c. silicone elastomer implants of OE2 at a dose known to give pro-oestrous OE2 levels. After 1 week rats were decapitated, blood was collected for assay of prolactin and TSH, blocks of hypothalamus were dissected out and pituitary glands were removed and bisected. Medium bathing hemipituitary glands was collected for measurement of prolactin and TSH after a 30-min incubation. Immunoreactive TRH was measured in medium removed from hypothalami and in extracts of homogenized hypothalami. Serum prolactin was higher in OE2-treated than in control animals (59·3 ± 19·5 (s.e.m.) vs 9·4 ± 1·5 μg/l; P<0·05) and this was associated with a threefold increase in pituitary prolactin in the medium. By contrast, TSH concentrations in serum and pituitary incubation medium were not significantly different in the two groups. There was no difference between the groups in hypothalamic content of TRH but TRH release in the incubation medium was increased by OE2 (30·2 ± 6·5 vs 10·0 ± 1·3 pg/mg protein per 30 min; P<0·01). In summary, physiological levels of OE2 stimulated prolactin secretion without change in TSH and this was associated with a threefold increase in hypothalamic release of TRH. These findings suggest that the stimulating effect of OE2 on prolactin secretion may, in part, be mediated by hypothalamic TRH. J. Endocr. (1984) 103, 257–261


1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bentley ◽  
M. Wallis

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.


1986 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-571
Author(s):  
Stacey R. Swartz ◽  
Linda Ogren ◽  
Frank Talamantes

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yei-Jin Kang ◽  
Ji-Hyeon Oh ◽  
Hyun Seok ◽  
You-Young Jo ◽  
Dae-Won Kim ◽  
...  

4-Hexylresorcinol (4HR) has been used as a food additive and antiseptic. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the application of 4HR in breast cancer cells and ovariectomized rats showed estrogen-like effects. MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells were treated by solvent, 1–100 µM bisphenol-A (BPA), or 1–100 µM 4HR, respectively. 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazole-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Western blot for extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/-2 (ERK1/2), phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), estrogen receptor-α (ERα), and ERβ were done. As an in vivo study, ovariectomized rats (n = 15) received solvent, 125 mg/kg of 4HR, or 10 µg of 17-β estradiol via daily subcutaneous injection for 7 days. Blood samples were obtained for evaluation of prolactin levels. Pituitary glands and uteruses were biopsied for histological evaluation and Western blot analysis. Compared with the control group, the application of 4HR decreased the proliferation of MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells, while the application of BPA increased (p < 0.05). The application of BPA increased the expression of ERα, ERβ, and p-ERK1/2, but 4HR did not change the expression of ERα, ERβ, or p-ERK1/2 in MCF-7 cells. In an animal model, the 4HR group showed similar levels of ERα, ERβ, and prolactin expression in the pituitary gland compared to the solvent only group, while the estradiol group showed higher levels. Serum prolactin levels were similar between the 4HR and solvent only groups. Taken together, 1–100 µM 4HR did not show BPA-like behavior in MCF-7 cells, and 125 mg/kg of 4HR daily subcutaneous injection for 7 days did not demonstrate estradiol-like effects in ovariectomized rats. Collectively, 4HR has no estrogen-like effects on both ERα-positive cells and estrogen-deficient rat models.


Author(s):  
P. W. Coates ◽  
C. A. Blake ◽  
D. S. Maxwell ◽  
C. H. Sawyer

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.


1977 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 692-697
Author(s):  
R. D'Agata ◽  
S. Andó ◽  
S. Gulizia ◽  
L. Condorelli ◽  
C. Paci ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT In order to evaluate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-prolactin axis in "adolescent gynaecomastia" (AG), sulpiride was administered to 7 normal boys and 7 boys with AG. The maximum increase in serum prolactin (PRL) above the mean baseline level (Δmax) was used as index of response. The sulpiride induced a greater PRL release in boys with gynaecomastia than in the controls. Our data indicate that boys with gynaecomastia may have a greater pituitary prolactin pool. The results also illustrate the usefulness of specific neurotrophic agents such as sulpiride as important tools for evaluating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-PRL axis.


1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Schrey ◽  
H. J. Clark ◽  
S. Franks

ABSTRACT A role for the regulation of cellular Ca2+ homeostasis in the dopaminergic control of prolactin secretion was investigated in rat anterior pituitary glands. Withdrawal of dopamine stimulated the uptake of 45Ca2+ into hemipituitary tissue by 48% after 3 min. Radioisotope desaturation from tissue prelabelled with 45Ca2+ was significantly retarded in the presence of dopamine. Withdrawal of dopamine rapidly stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux from prelabelled tissue by 79% and was accompanied by a three- to fourfold rise in prolactin secretion. The 45Ca2+ efflux response to dopamine withdrawal was reduced in tissue prelabelled in the presence of dopamine. Agonist displacement with metoclopramide mimicked the effect of dopamine withdrawal on 45Ca2+ efflux and prolactin secretion. These observations demonstrate that the stimulation of prolactin release by dopamine withdrawal is accompanied by a redistribution of cellular Ca2+ and support the hypothesis that dopamine inhibits secretion by decreasing Ca2+ influx in the mammotroph cell. J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 423–429


1984 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Hall ◽  
S. Harvey ◽  
A. Chadwick

ABSTRACT Pituitary glands and hypothalami from broiler fowl were incubated in medium containing testosterone, and prolactin and GH release were determined. Pituitary glands were also preincubated for 20 h in medium containing testosterone, and then in medium containing various secretagogues. Testosterone inhibited the release of prolactin directly from the pituitary gland in a concentration-related manner. The hypothalamus stimulated the release of prolactin, but by a lesser amount in the presence of testosterone. When pituitary glands were preincubated with testosterone, subsequent release of prolactin was inhibited, except with the highest concentration which stimulated prolactin release. Hypothalamic extract (HE) markedly stimulated prolactin release from control pituitary glands although testosterone-primed glands were less responsive. The stimulation of prolactin release by thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was also reduced by preincubation of the pituitary glands with testosterone. Priming with testosterone did not affect the release of GH from pituitary glands alone, but reduced the TRH-, HE- and PGE2-stimulated release of GH. These results demonstrate that testosterone directly inhibits prolactin secretion and reduces the sensitivity of pituitary lactotrophs and somatotrophs to provocative stimuli. J. Endocr. (1984) 102, 153–159


1972 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. G. BURGER ◽  
G. FINK ◽  
V. W. K. LEE

SUMMARY The presence of luteinizing hormone releasing factor (LH-RF) activity was investigated in pituitary stalk and systemic blood collected from rats ovariectomized at least 3 weeks previously, and in stalk blood from male rats in which electrodes had been implanted in the medial preoptic area of the brain. Most of the assayable luteinizing hormone (LH) present in the blood samples was eliminated by acid-ethanol extraction followed by ultrafiltration. The ultrafiltrates were injected into ovariectomized rats treated with oestrogen and progesterone, and increments in the concentration of LH in the sera of these animals, estimated by radioimmunoassay, were taken as an indication that the filtrate was able to release LH from the anterior pituitary gland. The ultrafiltrates of both the stalk and systemic plasma from the ovariectomized rats exhibited LH-RF activity as did the ultrafiltrates of blood collected from the pituitary stalk of the male rats during electrical stimulation of the preoptic area; stalk blood collected from these animals before the current was applied appeared to be inactive. The LH-RF activity of the ultrafiltrates of systemic and pituitary stalk plasma taken from ovariectomized rats was similar, and, therefore, the possibility is raised that the response of the pituitary glands in ovariectomized rats treated with oestrogen and progesterone is of an all or none type. The presence of appreciable quantities of LH-RF in the systemic plasma of ovariectomized rats may explain the discrepancy between bioassay and immunoassay estimates of LH in the plasma of these animals. The rapid increase in the concentration of serum LH and in the LH-RF activity of pituitary stalk plasma which followed stimulation of the preoptic area suggests that this region of the brain may be important in the control of the secretion of LH in the male as well as in the female animal.


1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Birman ◽  
Ph. Touraine ◽  
F. Bai-Grenier ◽  
C. Dubray ◽  
T. Kaabache ◽  
...  

Abstract. To investigate whether the modulation of lactotrope cell multiplication and prolactin secretion in rat pituitary glands implicated the phosphoinositide C-kinase system, female Wistar rats were treated or not with the dopamine agonist CV 205-502 or 8 days or with estradiol cervical implants for 8 for 15 days, alone or in combination with CV 205-502 for the last 8 days. CV 205-502 treatment induced a significant reduction in plasma PRL levels and in pituitary weights, whereas estradiol treatment induced a significant increase in both parameters. CV 205-502, in association with estradiol, counteracted estradiol stimulation of PRL levels and of pituitary weights. Total C-kinase activity in controls was 29.8 ± 9.9 pmol 32phosphorus/min (N = 7, mean±sem), mainly found in the soluble fraction (84%). When administered alone, CV 205-502 induced a significant reduction (–58%, p < 0.02) in C-kinase activity in the particulate fraction with no modification in the soluble fraction. Both 8 and 15 days estradiol treatment induced a significant stimulation of total C-kinase activity, 74% and 155% respectively. When combined with estradiol, CV 205-502 significantly (p < 0.02) counteracted the estradiol increase in total C-kinase activity, which was only 45% over control values. We conclude that treatment with a dopamine agonist and estradiol, which have antagonistic effects on the pituitary, exerts an opposite regulation of C-kinase activity. Whether this may be one of the mechanisms involved in their interaction on pituitary lactotropes remains to be determined.


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