Effects of intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine injections on serum prolactin and LH levels: absence of stress-induced pituitary prolactin release

Hypothalamic neurons fully or partially expressing the dopaminergic phenotype: development, distribution, functioning and functional significance. A review

The hypothalamus is a key link in neuroendocrine regulations, which are provided by neuropeptides and dopamine. Until the late 1980 s, it was believed that, along with peptidergic neurons, hypothalamus contained dopaminergic neurons. Over time, it has been shown that besides dopaminergic neurons expressing the dopamine transporter and dopamine-synthesizing enzymes - tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) - the hypothalamus contains neurons expressing only TH, only AADC, both enzymes or only dopamine transporter. The end secretory product of TH neurons is L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, while that of AADC neurons and bienzymatic neurons lacking the dopamine transporter is dopamine. During ontogenesis, especially in the perinatal period, monoenzymatic neurons predominate in the hypothalamic neuroendocrine centers. It is assumed that L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and dopamine are released into the neuropil, cerebral ventricles, and blood vessels, participating in the regulation of target cell differentiation in the perinatal period and the functioning of target cells in adulthood.

Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons triggers an expression of individual enzymes of dopamine synthesis in non-dopaminergic neurons of the arcuate nucleus in adult rats

Non-dopaminergic neurons expressing individual complementary enzymes dopamine (DA) synthesis were shown to produce DA in cooperation [Ugrumov, M., Melnikova, V., Ershov, P., Balan, I., Calas A., 2002. Tyrosine hydroxylase- and/or aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase-expressing neurons in the rat arcuate nucleus: ontogenesis and functional significance. Psychoneuroendocrinology 27, 533-548; Ugrumov, M.V., Melnikova, V.I., Lavrentyeva, A.V., Kudrin, V.S., Rayevsky, K.S., 2004. Dopamine synthesis by non-dopaminergic neurons expressing individual complementary enzymes of the dopamine synthetic pathway in the arcuate nucleus of fetal rats. Neuroscience 124, 629-635]. This study was aimed at testing our hypothesis that the cooperative synthesis of DA in non-dopaminergic neurons is an adaptive reaction under functional insufficiency of the dopaminergic system. Functional insufficiency of the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic system was provoked by 6-OHDA-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the arcuate nucleus in adult rats. Bienzymatic (dopaminergic) neurons and monoenzymatic neurons expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) were detected with a double-immunofluorescent technique on cryostat sections. The 6-OHDA-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons was accompanied by a significant increase of the number of monoenzymatic TH neurons and AADC neurons that appears to support our hypothesis. The reaction of bienzymatic and monoenzymatic neuron populations to the 6-OHDA administration occurred to be region-specific. The former disappeared in the dorsomedial region of the arcuate nucleus while the latter increased in the ventrolateral region. Thus, degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the arcuate nucleus of adult rats is accompanied by the expression of individual enzymes of DA synthesis in non-dopaminergic neurons that may be an adaptive reaction.

Drug-induced changes in prolactin secretion. Clinical implications

Prolactin secretion is affected by various diseases as well as by many drugs in humans and animals. While marked hyperprolactinaemia suggests the presence of a pituitary tumor, moderate changes may also occur in various endocrine or non-endocrine disorders. Drugs can interfere with prolactin regulation via complex mechanisms at the hypothalamus or at the pituitary site, but possible changes in prolactin metabolism are poorly understood as yet. This survey of the literature up to June 1986 covers the influence of various groups of drugs and agents on the plasma prolactin level under various conditions. It contains information that will facilitate evaluation of whether hyper- or hypoprolactinaemia may result from therapeutic intervention or must be related to an underlying disease. It is obvious that more subtle changes can be revealed by the use of dynamic tests either to stimulate or to suppress prolactin secretion.

Central catecholamine depletion impairs in vivo immunity but not in vitro lymphocyte activation

We have previously shown that depletion of central nervous system (CNS) catecholamines by injecting the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the cisterna magna of C57B1/6 mice markedly impairs the humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells. This work extends these observations by showing that 6-OHDA treatment also inhibits the humoral antibody response to the T-cell-dependent antigen trinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin, but does not affect the response to the T-independent antigen trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide. This treatment also impairs humoral responsiveness at peripheral lymphoid sites in addition to inhibiting natural killer cell activity. However, 6-OHDA treatment in vivo does not affect in vitro mixed lymphocyte responsiveness, mitogen-induced lymphocyte activation or antigen presentation by macrophages.

Modulation of T-suppressor cell activity by central nervous system catecholamine depletion

This study extends our previous findings, which indicate that depletion of CNS catecholamines has a marked inhibitory effect on humoral immune responsiveness. These data show that depletion of CNS catecholamines by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the cisterna magna in conjunction with immunization enhances the activity of a population of splenic T-suppressor cells as evidenced by the transfer of these cells to normal recipients. Increased suppressor cell activity does not result solely from 6-OHDA treatment, but rather requires concomitant immunization. Further characterization shows that these suppressor cells are not antigen specific. Hypophysectomy abrogates the effects of 6-OHDA injection suggesting that catecholamine depletion modulates immune function via the release of pituitary hormones. Thus, depletion of CNS catecholamines impairs immune responsiveness by inducing enhanced T-suppressor cell activity, providing additional evidence of the involvement of the CNS in regulation of immune responsiveness.

The effect of unilateral decortication on the patterns of pulsatile follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) release and on mean plasma prolactin (Prl) levels in the ovariectomized rat

Previous experiments have shown that unilateral decortication is followed by an elevation in FSH and LH secretion, but there has been no study of the rhythms of release of gonadotropins in these animals. Consequently, this study was undertaken to determine if there are alterations in the pulsations of gonadotropins following hemi-decortication and also to measure plasma Prl in these animals to determine if it might also be under the influence of extrahypothalamic pathways. Our results show an increased mean plasma LH in unilateral decorticate animals that occurred because of an increase in pulse frequency without a significant increase in pulse amplitude. Mean plasma FSH was also elevated significantly in unilaterally decorticate animals, but there was no significant change in pulse frequency or amplitude. The length of the interpulse interval for LH release secretion decreased in unilateral decorticate animals, whereas the length of the cycle of FSH secretion increased in this circumstance. The mean levels of Prl were reduced in unilateral decorticate animals. These changes indicate that unilateral removal of cortico-rhinencephalic structures has an excitatory influence on gonadotropin secretion mediated by an increased frequency of LH and decreased frequency of FSH pulsations in the castrate, while at the same time there is a lowering of plasma Prl, probably due to removal of excitatory cortico-rhinencephalic pathways.

Adrenoceptors in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area stimulate secretion of prolactin but not growth hormone in the male rat

Plasma growth hormone (GH) and prolactin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in unanesthetized male rats after stereotaxic microinjection of adrenergic agents and 6-hydroxydopamine into the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area (PO/AHA). Norepinephrine, epinephrine, isoprenaline and clonidine failed to stimulate GH, moreover, 16 nanomoles norepinephrine produced a decrease. However, these agents stimulated prolactin secretion and the mixed alpha antagonist phentolamine, administered systemically, inhibited the stimulatory action of epinephrine on prolactin secretion. GH and prolactin secretory patterns were not affected by 6-hydroxydopamine disruption of catecholamine terminals in the PO/AHA. GH responses to adrenergic agonists and the failure of 6-hydroxydopamine to affect GH secretory patterns indicate that PO/AHA norepinephrine afferents do not facilitate GH secretion. Taken in conjunction with previous studies, the results suggest that there must be an extra-hypothalamic site at which norepinephrine is stimulatory for GH. Prolactin responses suggest that alpha adrenoceptors in the PO/AHA may participate in prolactin secretion.

Restraint stress stimulation of prolactin and ACTH secretion: role of brain histamine

The possible role of brain histamine in the release of prolactin, ACTH and corticosterone following acute restraint, was pharmacologically evaluated in adult male rats. Fifteen min of restraint caused marked increases in the plasma levels of these hormones. alpha-Fluoromethyl histidine (FH), a histidine decarboxylase inhibitor which depleted hypothalamic histamine, inhibited the enhancement of plasma prolactin levels. In contrast, plasma ACTH levels were not modified. FH treatment decreased plasma corticosterone concentrations in animals submitted to stress or in rest; this suggests a direct action of FH on the adrenal. Intraventricular (IVT) injection of ranitidine (H2 antagonist) blunted the prolactin response to restraint stress whereas its systemic administration had no effect. On the contrary, pyrilamine (H1 antagonist) given systemically decreased slightly, but significantly, the prolactin rise but when injected IVT it was ineffective. Pyrilamine was also unable to affect the ranitidine action. ACTH and corticosterone levels in plasma of restrained rats were not modified by the histamine antagonists. It is concluded that histamine is involved, mainly through central H2 receptors, in the enhancement of plasma prolactin levels produced by an acute stress. The failure of both antihistaminic compounds and a histamine depletor to alter the ACTH stimulation suggest that histamine has no participation in the hypophysio-corticoadrenal response to acute restraint.

Neural modulation of immune function

In this report we review our hypotheses and approaches to the study of the relationship between the central nervous and immune systems. Discussed are results pertaining to the modulation of immune parameters resulting from perturbations of the brain employing electrolytic lesions and the neuroleptic 6-hydroxydopamine. Experiments describing the central and peripheral effects of serotonin on in vivo and in vitro immune responses are also discussed.

The influence of acute or repeated immobilization on plasma prolactin levels in the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of immobilization on plasma prolactin (PRL) levels in the immature turkey. Acute immobilization for 120 min resulted in elevated PRL levels (P less than 0.05) starting 15 min after the onset of immobilization. Release from immobilization caused PRL levels to return to those of the nonimmobilized controls by 120-180 min following replacement of the turkeys in cages. Repeated immobilization for 3 or 5 consecutive days diminished PRL response (P less than 0.05) to subsequent immobilization. It is suggested that the PRL controlling mechanism(s) of the young turkey is both susceptible and able to habituate to changes induced by immobilization stress.

Electrical stimulation of the ventral noradrenergic tract (VNAT) releases hypothalamic noradrenaline and stimulates prolactin secretion in ovariectomized female rats treated with oestrogen

Electrical stimulation of the ventral noradrenergic tract (VNAT) caused a significant fall in the hypothalamic content of noradrenaline in ovariectomized female rats which had been treated with oestrogen. No similar effect was observed in the cerebral cortex, which implies that the stimulation did not affect the dorsal noradrenergic tract. In parallel experiments with groups of similarly treated rats, VNAT stimulation was found to increase release of prolactin from the pituitary gland, and this increase was significantly enhanced in animals which had been stressed by fasting for 3 days.

Differences in the stress response of prolactin in young and aged female rats

The drawing of blood by orbital sinus puncture (OSP) under ether anesthesia is known to produce a marked increase in serum prolactin (PRL levels in young cycling female rats. The effect of this stressful procedure on PRL release was compared in young and aged female rats. Nonstressed PRL levels were obtained from blood drawn by decapitation. Whereas OSP with a one-minute ether exposure induced a marked increase in PRL levels in young rats on all days of the estrus cycle, older cycling female rats on the day of diestrus -1 and aged rats exhibiting prolonged diestrus (PD) showed virtually no increase above nonstressed levels. However, increasing the ether exposure time to five minutes did produce a rise in PRL levels. Old cycling female rats on the day of estrus and aged rats exhibiting constant estrus (CE) did show a PRL increase comparable to that seen in young animals. Ovariectomy (OVX) completely abolished the stress response seen in aged CE rats. The response, though markedly decreased, was still present in young ovariectomized rats. These experiments show that the stress-induced rise in PRL promoted by OSP under either anesthesia is markedly diminished in aged rats exhibiting a diestrus state. The attenuated response seen in these rats is believed due to factors characteristic of the diestrous state of aging.

The effect of 6-OHDA lesions of the nucleus accumbens septum on schedule-induced drinking, wheelrunning and corticosterone levels in the rat

In a series of four experiments the relationship between 6-OHDA lesions of the nucleus accumbens septum (NAS), schedule-induced behaviors and plasma corticosterone levels was explored. Data from the first experiment show a significant decrease in water intake during a scheduled food delivery test hour for 6-OHDA lesioned groups of rats compared with sham or non-lesioned groups of rats, while during the remaining 23 hours of the day water intake was the same for 6-OHDA lesioned and sham lesioned groups. In a second experiment similar decreases in schedule-induced wheelrunning were observed for 6-OHDA lesioned rats when compared with sham lesioned rats. Data from a third experiment showed significant increases in plasma corticosterone levels of rats in the presence of a scheduled food delivery compared with rats given non-scheduled food. In a fourth experiment it was shown that 6-OHDA lesions of the NAS abolish this increase of corticosterone levels in rats on a food delivery schedule. These data extend the findings of Robbins and Koob [19] and show a more general involvement of the dopaminergic pathways of the NAS in schedule-induced behaviors and in concomitant plasma corticosterone changes.

Catecholamine mechanisms in medio-basal hypothalamus influence prolactin but not growth hormone secretion

Medio-basal hypothalamic (MBH) catecholamine mechanisms in the regulation of prolactin and growth hormone (GH) secretion were investigated in unanesthetized rats with chronic indwelling venous cannulae and bilateral MBH directed intracerebral guide cannulae. MBH injections of the catecholamine-specific neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 2 micrograms base in 0.5 microliter 0.9% saline) had no effect upon basal prolactin or GH secretion. Examination of catecholamine fluorescence indicated that MBH 6-OHDA treatment produced widespread disruption of MBH catecholamine afferents but did not destroy tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons of the arcuate nucleus, nor median eminence catecholamine structures. MBH injections (0.5 microliter, 0.032 M solutions) of dopamine, noradrenaline or adrenaline all produced statistically significant increases in plasma prolactin levels. The potency of these 3 catecholamines in evoking prolactin release differed markedly, adrenaline having the greatest effect. MBH catecholamine injections had no effect upon plasma GH levels compared to saline injected controls. The present data suggest that MBH catecholamine afferents are unimportant in the regulation of basal patterns of GH or prolactin secretion. As MBH catecholamine injections stimulate prolactin release this region may contain a prolactin-facilitatory catecholamine mechanism which is capable of generating prolactin surges in response to certain environmental or endogenous stimuli.

Dopaminergic neuronal function, anterior pituitary dopamine content, and serum concentrations of prolactin, luteinizing hormone and progesterone in the aged female rat

The serum concentrations of prolactin (PRL), progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), and the content and rate of synthesis of dopamine (DA) in selected brain regions were determined in young (3-6 months), intermediate (13-15 months) and aged (24-25 months) female Long-Evans rats. Young rats were examined on the days of diestrus 2 and estrus. Intermediate rats were divided into 2 groups, a group which was cycling regularly (examined on the day of estrus) and a group which exhibited constant estrus. Aged rats were divided into 3 groups one which cycled regularly (examined on day of estrus), one which exhibited constant estrus, and one which exhibited repetitive pseudopregnancies. Serum PRL was increased in all intermediate and aged rats when compared to values in young animals. Serum LH was increased and progesterone decreased in those intermediate and aged rats which exhibited constant estrous reproductive patterns. The DA content was generally decreased in the median eminence, posterior pituitary, striatum, nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle of all aged rats, while the rate of DA synthesis was decreased only in the median eminence of aged, non-cycling rats. This suggests that all DA neuronal systems except those in the tuberoinfundibular system are able to compensate for the age-related loss. Despite the apparent reduction of tuberoinfundibular DA neuronal function the concentration of DA in the anterior pituitary, which is believed to represent amine released from the neurons, is dramatically increased in intermediate age rats in constant estrus, and in all groups of aged rats. The maintenance of high PRL secretion despite the elevated content of DNA in the anterior pituitary suggests an age-related defect in the dynamics of DA in this gland; this defect may contribute to the loss of reproductive function in the aging rat.

Further studies on the effects of intravenously administered 6-hydroxydopamine on the median eminence of the rat

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) given i.v. in a dose of 150 mg/kg to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats produces at 24 h a complete depletion of median eminence (ME) and neurointermediate lobe (NIL) catecholamines (CA), as judged by Falck-Hillarp fluorescence histochemistry, leaving the remainder of the hypothalamus substantially unaltered. Restoration of a normal fluorescence histochemical appearance took place over 35 days, apparently due to regeneration of CA-containing terminals. Administration of desipramine prior to 6-OHDA injection modified its effect; depletion was largely confined to the midline region of the external layer of the ME and to the NIL, suggesting that these regions contain dopaminergic terminals. Microspectrofluorometric methods were used in an attempt to verify this conclusion. It is suggested that this technique provides a model for establishing the role of ME and NIL CA-containing structures in control of pituitary gland function.

Release and synthesis rates of catecholamines in hypothalamic, limbic and midbrain structures following intraventricular injection of beta-endorphin in male rats

Serum hormone levels and turnover rates of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) in tissue of pontine midbrain, limbic caudate, and hypothalamic structures were measured following intraventricular injection of 20 microgram beta-endorphin. Turnover of DA was increased in the locus coeruleus and in structures innervated by the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DA systems while it decreased in the posterior hypothalamus. The NE turnover was reduced in the locus coeruleus and posterior mediobasal hypothalamus. In all tissues examined, beta-endorphin treatment had no significant effect on E turnover. Serum levels of prolactin and corticosterone increased following beta-endorphin treatment whereas LH, FSH and TSH levels decreased. The observed effects of beta-endorphin on preoptic and hypothalamic DA and NE turnover rates may explain these hormonal changes. The reduced NE turnover in the locus coeruleus may be induced by increased DA turnover. The observation, that NE turnover in structures innervated by locus coeruleus neurons may go in different direction suggest that NE turnover is regulated independently from the activity of locus coeruleus neurons, hence that the regulation must occur at the terminals by a direct or indirect interaction with endorphinergic neurons.

Role of central nervous system neurotransmitters in mediating the effects of morphine on growth hormone- and prolactin-secretion in the rat

Unanesthetized adult male rats with indwelling right atrial cannulae were used in the majority of experiments. Morphine (MOR, 3.0 mg/kg) caused a large but transient increase in both GH and PRL levels, which could be prevented with naloxone. Disruption of central noradrenergic function with diethyldithiocarbamate (400 mg/kg) or phenoxybenzamine (15 mg/kg) abolished the GH-releasing effect of MOR, without interfering with the PRL secretory response. Depletion of brain serotonin stores with p-chlorophenylalanine (300 mg/kg) or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine or administration of serotonin receptor blocker, cyproheptadine (2.5 mg/kg), did not diminish the GH respnse to MOR but it inhibited, or in the case of 5,7-DHT treatment abolished the activation of PRL secretion. Additionally, metergoline (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg), another serotonin receptor blocker, caused an inhibition of the GH-releasing action of MOR; however, this inhibition was reversed by pretreatment with spiroperidol (0.1 mg/kg). Metergoline also markedly diminished the MOR-induced elevation of PRL. Inhibition of catecholamine synthesis with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MT, 250 mg/kg) blunted the effect of MOR on GH; however, dopamine receptor blockers, spiroperidol (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg) or (+)butaclamol (0.3 and 1.3 mg/kg), were without any influence. alpha-MT or spiroperidol did not alter the effect of MOR on PRL secretion, but the higher dose of (+)butaclamol suppressed it. It is concluded that the GH-releasing action of MOR requires unimpaired functioning of the central noradrenergic system, while the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems appear to play no significant role in it. In contrast, serotonergic systems seem to be essential for the activation of PRL secretion, whereas the noradrenergic system is not involved. It remains uncertain whether morphine activtes PRL secretion also through inhibition of dopaminergic activity. We favor the view that the dopaminergic component participates in the PRL activation by MOR, but that its contribution to the overall effect is rather small.