[GABAergic control of hypophyseal gonadotropic function and prolactin. Demonstration by valproic acid]

While there is well-known evidence for dopaminergic control over gonadotrophic and Prolactin functions, the way gamma-aminobutyric acid (Gaba) acts and the routes through which it acts are not so well known. Valproic acid stimulates cerebral Gabaergic tracts. It was therefore used by the authors to study first the basal levels of LH FSH and Prolactin and the way they reacted after two months treatment with this anti-convulsant. The authors noted a decrease of LH-RH stimulated LH and a decrease of the basal levels or Prolactin in TRH stimulated Prolactin. So Gaba can be a neuro-modulator of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis, acting synergically with the dopaminergic tracts to decrease Prolactin secretion but opposing the dopaminergic tracts in the control over LH.