Effects of extracerebral dopamine on salsolinol‐ or thyrotropin‐releasing hormone‐induced prolactin (PRL) secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of extracerebral dopamine (DA) on salsolinol (SAL)‐induced prolactin (PRL) secretion in goats. An intravenous injection of SAL or thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) was given to female goats before and after treatment with an extracerebral DA receptor antagonist, domperidone (DOM), and the PRL‐releasing response to SAL was compared with that to TRH. DOM alone increased plasma PRL concentrations and the PRL‐releasing response to DOM alone was greater than that to either SAL alone or TRH alone. The PRL‐releasing response to DOM plus SAL was similar to that to DOM alone, and no additive effect of DOM and SAL on the secretion of PRL was observed. In contrast, the PRL‐releasing response to DOM plus TRH was greater than that to either TRH alone or DOM alone and DOM synergistically increased TRH‐induced PRL secretion. The present results demonstrate that the mechanism involved in PRL secretion by SAL differs from that by TRH, and suggest that the extracerebral DA might be associated in part with the modulation of SAL‐induced PRL secretion in goats.     

Effects of hypothalamic dopamine (DA) on salsolinol (SAL)‐induced prolactin (PRL) secretion in male goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of hypothalamic dopamine (DA) on salsolinol (SAL)‐induced prolactin (PRL) release in goats. The PRL‐releasing response to an intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL was examined after treatment with augmentation of central DA using carbidopa (carbi) and L‐dopa in male goats under 8‐h (8 h light, 16 h dark) or 16‐h (16 h light, 8 h dark) photoperiod conditions. The carbi and L‐dopa treatments reduced basal PRL concentrations in the 16‐h photoperiod group (P < 0.05), while a reduction was not observed in the 8‐h photoperiod group. The mean basal plasma PRL concentration in the control group for the 8‐h photoperiod was lower than that for the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). SAL significantly stimulated the release of PRL promptly after the injection in both the 8‐ and 16‐h photoperiod groups (P < 0.05). PRL‐releasing responses for the 16‐h photoperiod were greater than those for the 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). The carbi and L‐dopa treatments blunted SAL‐induced PRL release in both the 8‐ and 16‐h photoperiods (P < 0.05). These results indicate that hypothalamic DA blunts the SAL‐induced release of PRL in male goats, regardless of the photoperiod, which suggests that both SAL and DA are involved in regulating the secretion of PRL in goats.     

Effects of hypothalamic dopamine on growth hormone‐releasing hormone‐induced growth hormone secretion and thyrotropin‐releasing hormone‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of hypothalamic dopamine (DA) on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. The GH‐releasing response to an intravenous (i.v.) injection of GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH, 0.25 μg/kg body weight (BW)) was examined after treatments to augment central DA using carbidopa (carbi, 1 mg/kg BW) and L‐dopa (1 mg/kg BW) in male and female goats under a 16‐h photoperiod (16 h light, 8 h dark) condition. GHRH significantly and rapidly stimulated the release of GH after its i.v. administration to goats (P < 0.05). The carbi and L‐dopa treatments completely suppressed GH‐releasing responses to GHRH in both male and female goats (P < 0.05). The prolactin (PRL)‐releasing response to an i.v. injection of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH, 1 μg/kg BW) was additionally examined in male goats in this study to confirm modifications to central DA concentrations. The treatments with carbi and L‐dopa significantly reduced TRH‐induced PRL release in goats (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that hypothalamic DA was involved in the regulatory mechanisms of GH, as well as PRL secretion in goats.     

Interaction between salsolinol (SAL) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or dopamine (DA) on the secretion of prolactin in ruminants

We have recently demonstrated that salsolinol (SAL), a dopamine (DA)-derived compound, is present in the posterior pituitary gland and is able to stimulate the release of prolactin (PRL) in ruminants. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect that the interaction of SAL with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or DA has on the secretion of PRL in ruminants. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL (5mg/kg body weight (b.w.)), TRH (1microg/kg b.w.), and SAL plus TRH significantly stimulated the release of PRL in goats (P<0.05). The cumulative response curve (area under the curve: AUC) during 120min was 1.53 and 1.47 times greater after the injection of SAL plus TRH than either SAL or TRH alone, respectively (P<0.05). A single i.v. injection of sulpiride (a DA receptor antagonist, 0.1mg/kg b.w.), sulpiride plus SAL (5mg/kg b.w.), and sulpiride plus TRH (1microg/kg b.w.) significantly stimulated the release of PRL in goats (P<0.05). The AUC of PRL during 120min was 2.12 and 1.78 times greater after the injection of sulpiride plus TRH than either sulpiride alone or sulpiride plus SAL, respectively (P<0.05). In cultured bovine anterior pituitary (AP) cells, SAL (10(-6)M), TRH (10(-8)M), and SAL plus TRH significantly increased the release of PRL (P<0.05), but the additive effect of SAL and TRH detected in vivo was not observed in vitro. In contrast, DA (10(-6)M) inhibited the TRH-, as well as SAL-induced PRL release in vitro. All together, these results clearly show that SAL can stimulate the release of PRL in ruminants. Furthermore, they also demonstrate that the additive effect of SAL and TRH on the release of PRL detected in vivo may not be mediated at the level of the AP, but that DA can overcome their releasing activity both in vivo and in vitro, confirming the dominant role of DA in the inhibitory regulation of PRL secretion in ruminants.     

Bromocriptine inhibits salsolinol‐induced prolactin release in male goats

The secretion of prolactin (PRL) is under the dominant and tonic inhibitory control of dopamine (DA); however, we have recently found that salsolinol (SAL), an endogenous DA‐derived compound, strongly stimulated the release of PRL in ruminants. The aim of the present study was to clarify the inhibitory effect of DA on the SAL‐induced release of PRL in ruminants. The experiments were performed from late June to early July. Male goats were given a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL (5 mg/kg body weight (BW)), a DA receptor antagonist (sulpiride, 0.1 mg/kg BW), or thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH, 1 µg/kg BW) before and after treatment with a DA receptor agonist (bromocriptine), and the effect of DA on SAL‐induced PRL release was compared to that on sulpiride‐ or TRH‐induced release. Bromocriptine completely inhibited the SAL‐induced release of PRL (P < 0.05), and the area under the response curve (AUC) for a 120‐min period after the treatment with bromocriptine was 1/28 of that for before the treatment (P < 0.05). Bromocriptine also completely inhibited the sulpiride‐induced release (P < 0.05). The AUC post‐treatment was 1/17 that of pre‐treatment with bromocriptine (P < 0.05). Bromocriptine also inhibited the TRH‐induced release (P < 0.05), though not completely. The AUC post‐treatment was 1/3.8 that of pre‐treatment (P < 0.05). These results indicate that DA inhibits the SAL‐induced release of PRL in male goats, and suggest that SAL and DA are involved in regulating the secretion of PRL. They also suggest that in terms of the regulatory process for the secretion of PRL, SAL resembles sulpiride but differs from TRH.     

Effects of photoperiod on salsolinol‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the relation between salsolinol (SAL)‐induced prolactin (PRL) release and photoperiod in goats. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL was given to adult female goats under short (8 h light, 16 h dark) or long (16 h light, 8 h dark) photoperiod conditions at two different ambient temperatures (20°C or 5°C), and the PRL‐releasing response to SAL was compared to that of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) or a dopamine (DA) receptor antagonist, sulpiride. SAL, as well as TRH or sulpiride, stimulated the release of PRL promptly after each injection in both 8‐ and 16‐h daily photoperiods at 20°C (P < 0.05). The area under the response curve (AUC) of PRL for the 60‐min period after injections of saline (controls), SAL, TRH and sulpiride in the 16‐h daily photoperiod group was greater than each corresponding value in the 8‐h daily photoperiod group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the AUC of PRL among the values produced after the injection of SAL, TRH and sulpiride in 16‐h daily photoperiod group; however, the values produced after the injection of TRH were smallest among the three in the 8‐h daily photoperiod group (P < 0.05). The PRL‐releasing responses to SAL, TRH and sulpiride under a short and long photoperiod condition at 5°C resembled those at 20°C. These results show that a long photoperiod highly enhances the PRL‐releasing response to SAL as well as TRH or sulpiride in either medium or low ambient temperature in goats.     

Effects of melatonin on salsolinol‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of melatonin (MEL) on the salsolinol (SAL)‐induced release of prolactin (PRL) in goats. Female goats were kept at 20°C with 16 h of light, 8 h of darkness, and orally administered saline or MEL for 5 weeks. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of saline (controls), SAL, thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) or a dopamine receptor antagonist, sulpiride, was given to the goats 3 weeks after the first oral administrations of saline or MEL, and the responses were compared. The mean basal plasma PRL concentrations in the control group were higher for the saline treatments than MEL treatments (P < 0.05). SAL as well as TRH and sulpiride stimulated the release of PRL promptly after each injection in both the saline‐ and MEL‐treated groups (P < 0.05). The area under the response curve of PRL for the 60‐min period after the i.v. injection of SAL, TRH and sulpiride in the saline‐treated group was greater than each corresponding value in the MEL‐treated group (P < 0.05). These results show that daily exposure to MEL under a long day length reduces the PRL‐releasing response to SAL as well as TRH and sulpiride in goats.     

Characteristics of prolactin-releasing response to salsolinol (SAL) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in ruminants

The secretion of prolactin (PRL) is stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), and inhibited by dopamine (DA). However, we have recently demonstrated that salsolinol (SAL), a DA-derived endogenous compound, is able to stimulate the release of PRL in ruminants. The aims of the present study were to compare the characteristics of the PRL-releasing response to SAL and TRH, and examine the relation between the effects that SAL and DA exert on the secretion of PRL in ruminants in vivo and in vitro. Three consecutive intravenous (i.v.) injections of SAL (5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.): 19.2 μmol/kg b.w.) or TRH (1 μg/kg b.w.: 2.8 nmol/kg b.w.) at 2-h intervals increased plasma PRL levels after each injection in goats (P < 0.05); however, the responses to SAL were different from those to TRH. There were no significant differences in each peak value between the groups. The rate of decrease in PRL levels following the peak was attenuated in SAL-treated compare to TRH-treated animals (P < 0.05). PRL-releasing responses to SAL were similar to those to sulpiride (a DA receptor antagonist, 0.1 mg/kg b.w.: 293.3 nmol/kg b.w.). In cultured bovine anterior pituitary (AP) cells, TRH (10⁻⁸ M) significantly increased the release of PRL following both 15- and 30-min incubation periods (P < 0.05), but SAL (10⁻⁶ M) did not increase the release during the same periods. DA (10⁻⁶ M) completely blocked the TRH-induced release of PRL for a 2-h incubation period in the AP cells (P < 0.05). Sulpiride (10⁻⁶ M) reversed this inhibitory effect but SAL (10⁻⁶ M) did not have any influence on the action of DA. These results show that the mechanism(s) by which SAL releases PRL is different from the mechanism of action of TRH. Furthermore, they also show that the secretion of PRL is under the inhibitory control of DA, and SAL does not antagonize the DA receptor's action.     

Dopaminergic-like activity in toxic fescue alters prolactin but not growth hormone or thyroid stimulating hormone in ewes

Studies were conducted to determine the specificity and cause of altered pituitary hormone secretion when ewes ingest endophyte-infected (Acremonium coenophialum) GI-307 tall fescue (toxic fescue). Plasma concentrations of prolactin (PRL) but not growth hormone (GH) or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in ewes grazing toxic fescue were significantly lower (P < .01) than concentrations measured in ewes grazing orchardgrass (OG). Comparing hormone secretory responses of ewes grazing each grasstype, ewes on toxic fescue released less PRL following thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) challenge than ewes on OG. TSH responses to TRH were not affected by grasstype. At this dose of TRH, GH secretion was not significantly affected in either group of ewes. In a separate study, dopamine hydrochloride (DA) was infused into control ewes to define the effect of a pure dopamine agonist on basal and TRH-stimulated secretion of PRL, GH and TSH. DA depressed both basal and TRH-stimulated secretion of PRL without affecting the basal concentrations or responses of GH or TSH. Based on the assumption that the active agent in toxic fescue responsible for the observed hypoprolactinemia was a dopaminergic agonist, haloperidol (HAL), a DA receptor blocking drug, was administered to ewes grazing toxic fescue or OG. HAL evoked significant PRL secretion unaccompanied by any GH or TSH effect in both toxic fescue and OG ewes. Administration of HAL resulted in a gradual increase over 4 hr in PRL in toxic fescue ewes and prolonged the duration of the PRL response to TRH. No differences in circulating plasma concentrations of DA, epinephrine or norepinephrine were measured in ewes on troxic fescue or OG.

Alterations in pituitary hormone secretion due to toxic factors in fescue were confined to PRL. Hormone secretory responses to TRH and HAL suggest that the effects on PRL are mediated through dopamine-like activity in toxic fescue.     

Effects of photoperiod on the secretion of growth hormone and prolactin during nighttime in female goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on nighttime secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. Adult female goats were kept at 20°C with an 8 h or 16 h dark photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH for 8 h in the dark period were examined with the profile of prolactin (PRL) secretion. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner in the dark period. There were no significant differences in pulse frequency between the 8‐ and 16‐h dark photoperiods; however, pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h dark photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the same photoperiod (P < 0.05). PRL secretion increased quickly after lights off under both photoperiods. The PRL‐releasing responses were weaker in the 8‐h than 16‐h dark photoperiod. The secretory response to photoperiod was more obvious for PRL than GH. The present results show that a long dark photoperiod enhances the nighttime secretion of GH in female goats, although the response is not as obvious as that for PRL.     

Characteristics of prolactin-releasing response to salsolinol in vivo in cattle

The aims of the present study were to clarify the effect of salsolinol (SAL), a dopamine (DA)-derived endogenous compound, on the secretion of prolactin (PRL) in cattle. The experiments were performed from April to June using calves and cows. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL (5 mg/kg body weight [BW]) or sulpiride (a DA receptor antagonist, 0.1 mg/kg BW) significantly stimulated the release of PRL in male and female calves (P < 0.05), though the response to SAL was smaller than that to sulpiride. The secretory pattern of PRL in response to SAL or sulpiride in female calves resembled that in male calves. A single i.v. injection of SAL or sulpiride significantly stimulated the release of PRL in cows (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the PRL-releasing response between the SAL- and sulpiride-injected groups in cows. A single intracerebroventricular injection of SAL (10 mg/head) also significantly stimulated the release of PRL in castrated calves (P < 0.05). These results show that SAL is involved in the regulatory process for the secretion of PRL, not only in male and female calves, but also in cows. The results also suggest that the potency of the PRL-releasing response to SAL differs with the physiological status of cattle.     

Effects of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin on secretion of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin in ovariectomized, pituitary stalk-transected ewes

Two experiments were conducted in ovariectomized, pituitary stalk-transected ewes to determine if dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) or serotonin (5-HT) alter secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL). In experiment 1, ewes were infused (iv) with saline (control), DA (66 micrograms/kg/min), NE (6.6 micrograms/kg/min) or 5-HT (6.6 micrograms/kg/min). Treatments did not alter pulse frequency, but 5-HT increased (P less than .05) amplitude of pulses of LH and mean concentrations of LH, DA and NE were without effect on basal secretion of LH. DA but not NE or 5-HT decreased (P less than .05) the release of LH in response to gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH, 25 micrograms, im). Concentrations of FSH were not affected by treatments. Secretion of PRL was reduced (P less than .05) by treatment with DA and NE but not 5-HT. Each amine reduced (P less than .05) the release of PRL in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; 3 micrograms, im). In experiment 2, ewes were given DA at doses of 0, 0.66, 6.6 or 66.0 micrograms/kg/min, iv. No dose altered basal LH, but each dose reduced (P less than .05) basal and TRH-induced release of PRL. Key findings from these studies include direct pituitary action for: (1) 5-HT enhanced basal secretion of LH, (2) suppression of GnRH-induced secretion of LH by DA. (3) DA and NE inhibition of PRL secretion, and (4) DA, NE and 5-HT inhibition of release of PRL in response to TRH.     

Effects of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone in adult male goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone (GH) in male goats. Adult male goats were kept at 20°C with an 8‐h or 16‐h light photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH secretion were compared. In addition, plasma profiles of prolactin (PRL), insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and testosterone (T) were also examined to characterize GH secretion. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner. There was no significant difference in pulse frequency between the 8‐h and 16‐h photoperiods. However, GH pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). The GH‐releasing response to GH releasing hormone was greater in the 16‐h than 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). Plasma PRL and IGF‐I levels were higher in the 16‐h than 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). In contrast, plasma T levels were lower in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). These results show that a long light photoperiod enhances the secretion of GH as well as PRL and IGF‐I, but reduces plasma T concentrations in male goats.     

Exogenous opioids increase plasma prolactin in Holstein calves primarily via a dopaminergic mechanism.

A study was conducted to determine whether exogenous opioids increase prolactin (PRL) secretion in Holstein heifer calves via a dopaminergic mechanism. Twenty-four Holstein heifer calves ranging in age from 5 to 7 mo were assigned to one of four treatment groups (six/treatment): 1) injection of saline (SAL); 2) injection of a synthetic enkephalin (D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Met(O)5-ol enkephalin; DAMME); 3) injection of DAMME after pretreatment with the long-acting dopamine agonist 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine; or 4) injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) after pretreatment with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine. Calves were equipped with indwelling jugular cannulas on d 1, and baseline plasma PRL concentrations were established. Animals receiving 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine were injected s.c. 3 h after the last baseline sample was drawn on d 1. On d 2, calves assigned to receive SAL, DAMME, or TRH were injected 2 h after the start of sampling, and sampling was continued for an additional 4.5 h. Basal plasma PRL was lower (P less than .01) on d 2 in calves injected with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine than baseline levels on d 1. Plasma PRL was higher (P less than .01) in calves not pretreated with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine after DAMME injection on d 2 but was not different after DAMME injection in calves pretreated with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine. In contrast, plasma PRL increased (P less than .01) after TRH injection on d 2 in calves pretreated with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma concentrations of cortisol, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in stallions after physical exercise and injection of secretagogue before and after sulpiride treatment in winter

Ten lighthorse stallions were used to determine 1) whether prolactin (PRL) and cortisol responses previously observed after acute exercise in summer would occur in winter when PRL secretion is normally low, 2) whether subsequent treatment with a dopamine receptor antagonist, sulpiride, for 14 d would increase PRL secretion and response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and exercise, and 3) whether secretion of LH, FSH, and cortisol would be affected by sulpiride treatment. On January 11, blood samples were drawn from all stallions before and after a 5-min period of strenuous running. On January 12, blood samples were drawn before and after an i.v. injection of GnRH plus TRH. From January 13 through 26, five stallions were injected s.c. daily with 500 mg of sulpiride; the remaining five stallions received vehicle. The exercise and secretagogue regimens were repeated on January 27 and 28, respectively. Before sulpiride injection, concentrations of both cortisol and PRL increased (P less than .05) 40 to 80% in response to exercise; concentrations of LH and FSH also increased (P less than .05) approximately 5 to 10%. Sulpiride treatment resulted in (P less than .05) a six- to eightfold increase in daily PRL secretion. The PRL response to TRH increased (P less than .05) fourfold in stallions treated with sulpiride but was unchanged in control stallions. Sulpiride treatment did not affect (P greater than .05) the LH or FSH response to exogenous GnRH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

L‐DOPA attenuates prolactin secretion in response to isolation stress in Holstein steers

To clarify endocrine responses to psychological stressors in cattle, the effects of isolation from familiar peers on plasma prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CORT) concentrations, and the effect of 3,4‐dihydroxy‐L‐phenylalanine (L‐DOPA), a precursor of dopamine (DA), on stress‐induced PRL secretion were determined in Holstein steers. First, the potency of peripheral L‐DOPA administration on attenuation of central DA levels was confirmed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from a chronic cannula in the third ventricle and plasma were sampled 1 h before and 3 h after intravenous injection of L‐DOPA (100 mg/head). DA concentrations in CSF increased just after L‐DOPA injection with subsequent decrease in PRL secretion. Injection of L‐DOPA increased CORT secretion. Second, one experimental steer was isolated in its stall by removing its peers for 2 h with or without‐ pre‐injection of L‐DOPA. The concentration of PRL was elevated by isolation treatment, whereas the effect of isolation on CORT concentration could not be detected. The increase in PRL concentration after isolation was abolished by pre‐injection of L‐DOPA. These results suggest that PRL responds to isolation and that DA neurons in the central nervous system may regulate stress‐induced PRL secretion in steers.     

Participation of Opioid Peptides in Sucking‐induced Oxytocin and Prolactin Secretions in Lactating Goats

The role of opioid peptides in the secretion of oxytocin (OT) and prolactin (PRL) induced by sucking was studied in goats. Seven goats were isolated with their kids (four singletons and three twins) in individual corrals 3–4 weeks after parturition. On day 1 of the experiment, the kids were separated from the does for 7 h and were weighed before and 15 min after being reunited with their mothers to assess the amount of milk obtained by sucking. The does were blood‐sampled 10 min before and at the end of the sucking period. On day 2, a similar protocol was followed, but naloxone was given immediately after the first blood sample. On day 3, the protocol was repeated but saline vehicle was injected instead of naloxone. On day 5, the naloxone experiment was repeated as on day 2. Milk ejection was evaluated as the difference in the weight of the kids before and after sucking for 15 min, and the maternal serum levels of OT and PRL were measured by radioimmunoassay. A significant decrease in the weight gain of the kids was obtained when the mothers were treated with naloxone on day 2. Consistently, serum levels of OT and PRL induced by sucking were significantly reduced; indicating that sucking‐induced OT secretion for milk ejection in lactating goats is facilitated by opioid peptides. In a second experiment performed in the same animals 10 days later, the administration of OT, immediately after naloxone administration, prevented the decrease in the weight gain induced by naloxone, suggesting that the effect of the opioid antagonist on milk ejection in goats is a result of a reduced OT secretion. The results of this study confirm the importance of sucking‐induced OT secretion for milk ejection in lactating goats, and indicate that OT and PRL secretion are regulated by opioid peptides in this species.     

Salsolinol is present in the bovine posterior pituitary gland and stimulates the release of prolactin both in vivo and in vitro in ruminants

The aims of the present study were to determine whether salsolinol (SAL), a dopamine-related compound, is present in the bovine posterior pituitary (PP) gland, and to clarify the effect of SAL on the secretion of prolactin (PRL) in ruminants. SAL was detected in extract of bovine PP gland using high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL (5 and 10mg/kg body weight) significantly and dose-dependently stimulated the release of PRL in goats (P<0.05). Plasma PRL levels reached a peak 10min after the injection, then gradually returned to basal values in 60-80min. The PRL-releasing pattern was similar to that in response to sulpiride (a dopamine receptor antagonist). The intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of 1mg of SAL had no significant effect on the release of PRL in calves, however, 5mg significantly stimulated the release (P<0.05) with peak values reached 30-40min after the injection. Moreover, SAL significantly stimulated the release of PRL from cultured bovine anterior pituitary cells at doses of 10(-6) and 10(-5)M, compared to control cells (P<0.05). Taken together, our data clearly show that SAL is present in extract of the PP gland of ruminants, and has PRL-releasing activity both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, this endogenous compound is a strong candidate for the factor having PRL-releasing activity that has been previously detected in extract of the bovine PP gland.     

Progesterone inhibits prolactin and growth hormone release from fowl pituitary glands in vitro

After preincubation of anterior pituitary glands of broiler fowls for 20 h in either medium alone or medium containing progesterone, their responsiveness to hypothalamic stimulation and to thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) was determined. Following exposure to progesterone the basal rate of release of prolactin was reduced in a concentration-related manner but basal growth hormone release was unaffected. Stimulation of the release of prolactin and growth hormone by both hypothalamic extract and TRH was reduced following incubation with progesterone, and the reduction of the prolactin response to TRH was related to progesterone concentration.     

Endocrine changes in sows exposed to elevated ambient temperature during lactation

Seven sows were placed into one of two environmental chambers at 22 C, 5 d prior to farrowing. On day 9 of lactation, one chamber was changed to 30 C (n = 4) and the other remained at 22 C (n = 3). On days 24 and 25, blood samples were collected every 15 min for 9 hr and 7 hr, respectively. On day 24, thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) were injected iv at hour 8. On day 25 naloxone (NAL) was administered iv at hour 4 followed 2 hr later by iv injection of TRH and GnRH. Milk yield and litter weights were similar but backfat thickness (BF) was greater in 22 C sows (P less than .05) compared to 30 C sows. Luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency was greater (P less than .003) and LH pulse amplitude was less (P less than .03) in 22 C sows. LH concentrations after GnRH were similar on day 24 but on day 25, LH concentrations after GnRH were greater (P less than .05) for 30 C sows. Prolactin (PRL) concentrations were similar on days 24 and 25 for both groups. However, PRL response to TRH was greater (P less than .05) on both days 24 and 25 in 30 C sows. Growth hormone (GH) concentrations, and the GH response to TRH, were greater (P less than .0001) in 30 C sows. Cortisol concentrations, and the response to NAL, were less (P less than .03) in 30 C sows. NAL failed to alter LH secretion but decreased (P less than .05) PRL secretion in both groups of sows. However, GH response to NAL was greater (P less than .05) in 30 C sows. Therefore, sows exposed to elevated ambient temperature during lactation exhibited altered endocrine function.