Effect of various catecholamine antagonists on prolactin secretion in conscious male rabbits

To clarify physiological roles of catecholaminergic systems in the control of rabbit prolactin (PRL) release, the effect of various catecholamine receptor antagonists on plasma PRL levels was examined in conscious, freely moving male rabbits. An intravenous (iv) injection of yohimbin (2.5 mg/kg body wt), an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonist, but not prazosin (2 mg/kg body wt), an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, resulted in a significant elevation of plasma PRL. Conversely, propranolol (2.5 mg/kg body wt, iv), a nonselective beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist, and metoprolol (2.6 mg/kg body wt, iv), a beta 1-adrenergic antagonist, slightly but significantly suppressed basal levels of plasma PRL. On the other hand, haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg body wt, iv), pimozide (0.3 mg/kg body wt, iv), sulpiride (5 mg/kg body wt, iv), chlorpromazine (3 mg/kg body wt, iv), and YM-09151-2 (0.2 mg/kg body wt, iv), all dopamine receptor antagonists caused a significant increase in plasma PRL. These results suggest that dopaminergic and alpha 2-adrenergic mechanisms exert a tonic inhibitory role and beta-adrenergic mechanisms, probably beta 1, a tonic stimulatory role in the regulation of PRL release in the rabbit.