[Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide induced prolactin release is model dependent in free-moving rats]

Our previous experiments in vitro showed that the stimulating effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on pituitary (PRL) depended on the endocrinal status of the animals. The present investigation was to determine whether the effect of VIP varied in vivo with changes of different physiological conditions. For infusion of VIP (5 micrograms/100 g body weight) and collection of blood sample, all the animals were cannulated with silicon tube into jugular vein 2-3 d before the experiments. The results showed that VIP concentration in blood was increased rapidly after the infusion (maximum: 21.32 +/- 2.33 ng/ml at 10 min and lasting more than 30 min). The concentration of PRL in blood of all the animals tested was increased significantly (P < 0.05) after VIP infusion. The increase rate of PRL induced by VIP was higher in male rats (158.04 +/- 37.06), but lower in the female (Diestrus: 50.42 +/- 16.44, Proestrus: 62.67 +/- 21.34) and in Suckling-depended lactating ones (Suckled 90.00 +/- 36.00 vs. Separated 31.05 +/- 4.42). The above observations suggest that the VIP action in vivo depends on the endocrinal and/or neural status of the animals.