[Effect of L-dopa on the gonadotropic function of the pituitary gland]

Chronic experiments were conducted on female rats. It was shown that administration of noradrenaline precursor l-DOPA in a dose of 20 mg/kg for a period of 2 weeks led to the premature sexual maturation of the sexually immature rats, depressed the estrus, but increased the percentage of ovulations in adult rats with a normal cycle, restored the ovulation in 50% of rats with irregular anovular cycle and altered the correlation of the sexual cycle phases and the FSH and the LH level in the hypophysis. Administration of l-DOPA to rats with a spontaneous estrus restored the normal sexual cycle and ovulation in them. Prolonged administration of l-DOPA; (for 3 to 4 weeks) in a dose of 20 mg/kg and also the use of higher doses (100 mg/kg) produced a depressive effect on the gonadotropic function of the hypophysis.