Differential time- and dose-dependent effects in the haloperidol blockade of luteinizing hormone release and ovulation

A Collaborative Study in Japan on Optimal Treatment Period and Parameters for Detection of Male Fertility Disorders Induced by Drugs in Rats

The tripartite-harmonized International Conference on Harmonization reproductive guideline (1993) recommends administration of test substances for 4 weeks to male rats before mating. However, scientific or experimental rationale for this recommendation is not firmly based, and the most appropriate parameters have not been established in experimental models. Therefore, a team consisting of 16 Japanese pharmaceutical companies and the National Institute of Health Sciences performed a collaborative study to determine the optimal period and parameters for detection of male fertility disorders in rats. Sixteen compounds, including four anticancer drugs, two psychotropic drugs, two nootropic drugs, two vitamins, two hormones, one antihypertensive agent, one diuretic drug, and two general chemicals were administered to male rats for 4 or 9 weeks before mating. Parameters used to examine effects on the male reproductive system were organ weights, sper-matogenic endpoints, mating behavior, cesarean section findings, and histopathology. From the results, treatment for 4 weeks before mating was concluded to be sufficient to detect adverse effects on male fertility, with the histopathology of the testis being the most sensitive index for the drugs used. Sperm parameters, especially number, and genital organ weight determination provided information confirming toxicity. Tests of reproductive activity were generally found to be insensitive, except where the drugs affected sperm maturation. Based on this study, it is concluded that a 4-week treatment period is appropriate for detection of drug effects on male fertility, and that histopath-ological examination of the testis is the most sensitive approach.

Antidopaminergic-induced hypothalamic LHRH release and pituitary gonadotrophin secretion in 12 day-old female and male rats

In previous studies we have shown that the developing rat provides an interesting physiologic model in which the dopaminergic control of both LH and FSH is well defined in contrast to the controversial results obtained in adult rats. We wished to establish the role of testosterone in antidopaminergic induced gonadotrophins release in 12 day-old male and female rats, and evaluate the effect of antidopaminergic drugs at the hypothalamic level during this developmental stage. Haloperidol, an antidopaminergic drug, increased both LH and FSH in female 12 day-old rats but not in male littermates. The effect was blocked by bromocriptine and not by phentolamine indicating that haloperidol acted on the dopaminergic receptor, and that unspecific stimulation of the noradrenergic system was not involved. Haloperidol was ineffective when female rats were previously ovariectomized and injected with testosterone propionate at 9 days of age. If females were treated on the day of birth with testosterone propionate, haloperidol-induced FSH and LH release was also abolished. In control males haloperidol had no effect on the release of LH or FSH. But if males were orchidectomized at birth or at 9 days of age, haloperidol released both LH and FSH during the infantile period. In an attempt to establish the site of action of antidopaminergic drugs on gonadotrophin release, hypothalami (mediobasal and preoptic-suprachiasmatic area) from 12 day-old infant female rats were perifused with either haloperidol or domperidone (2*10(-6) M). Both drugs increased LHRH release into the perifusate. Besides haloperidol did not modify the release of LH or FSH from adenohypophyseal cells incubated in vitro. We therefore conclude that antidopaminergic-induced gonadotrophins release is modulated by serum testosterone concentrations, and that the site of action is probably the LHRH-secreting neuron of the hypothalamus.

Ontogenic studies of the neural control of adenohypophyseal hormones in the rat: gonadotropins

1. Serotonergic, dopaminergic, and opioid systems controlling luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion develop with particular characteristics in the male and female prepubertal rats. 2. Serotonergic pathways evoke a maximal release of LH and FSH in female rats from day 12 to day 20 of age, but not in males of the same age. 3. Antidopaminergic drugs increase LH and FSH levels only in the female infantile rats. This effect is absent at birth and disappears after 20 days of age. 4. Naloxone markedly increases gonadotropins in 12-day-old females. 5. On the other hand, in 12-day-old male rats some neurotropic drugs such as diazepam could enhance LH levels, the effect being absent at other ages or in female littermates. 6. A period of high sensitivity of gonadotropins to neurotropic drugs is present during the second and third weeks of life of the rat and it is related to the sexual differentiation of the brain.

Sexual differences in the dopaminergic control of luteinizing hormone secretion in the developing rat

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of haloperidol on the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) in male and female immature rats. At 12 days of age, haloperidol significantly released LH in females but not in males. The same results were obtained using sulpiride. The LH-releasing effect of haloperidol diminished with age; in 28-day-old rats it could not be evidenced. The influence of early organization of brain structures controlling LH secretion on this effect was then studied. Neonatally androgenized females failed to respond at 12 days of age and in neonatally castrated males the effect of haloperidol on LH followed the same pattern as in normal females. We conclude that the dopaminergic system plays an important inhibitory role in the control of LH in infantile females and not in males, and that this sexual difference depends on early differentiation of the brain.

Inhibition of the formation of 13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2-alpha induced by chlorpromazine in rat ovary

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on the formation of 13,14H2-PGF2 alpha in rat ovary and the possibility that the "critical period" observed in the effect of CPZ for the blockade of ovulatin may be appreciated by measuring the formation of 13,14H2-PGF2 alpha as a parametor. When CPZ (4.0 mg/kg) was given s.c. at 10:00 a.m. once a day for 3 days from the first day of diestrus to the expected day of proestrus followed by sacrifice after 24 hours of the final injection, a significant inhibition was recognized in the formation of 13,14H2-PGF2 alpha in ovary. The effects of a single injection of CPZ were also determined 24 hours after injection at 10:00 a.m. on the day of diestrus I, diestrus II or proestrus. The results showed that the drug treatment on the day of proestrus significantly decreased the formation of 13,14H2-PGF2 alpha, but not on the day of diestrus I or II. When the formation of ovarian 13,14H2-PGF2 alpha was inhibited by CPZ treatment, the blockade of ovulation was also confirmed. A single injection of CPZ at 05:00 and 07:00 after the "critical period" on the day of proestrus did not inhibit the 13,14H2-PGF2 alpha formation in the rat ovary. It is concluded that the administration of CPZ before the "critical period" on the day of proestrus is effective in suppressing the ovarian 13,14H2-PGF2 alpha formation as well as on the blockade of ovulation.