Oestrogen-Induced Hyperprolactinaemia in the Rat: Reduced Concentrations of Hypothalamic Dopamine and the Effects of Bromocriptine

Abstract

The induction of hyperprolactinaemia in the male rat following chronic oestrogen administration over 3 months was shown to result in a highly significant reduction in hypothalamic dopamine (DA) concentration as well as significant reductions in hypothalamic noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT). Significant increases in hypothalamic DA synthesis were found 4 days after a single dose of oestrogen but not after 3 months' chronic treatment. However, after the latter treatment there was a reduction in the ratio of the level of DA to its acidic metabolites in the hypothalami of the rats.