Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutic Strategies for Improving Pregnancy Rates by Analyzing Embryo-Endometrium Interactions
Published on: June 21, 2024
Effects of Cabergoline on Embryo Growth: Macroscopic and Molecular Findings
Gholamhossien Darya1, Javad Moayedi2, Zeinab Dehghan1,3
11Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Background:
Prolactin is a neurohypophyseal hormone that plays a major role in behavior, growth, and angiogenesis. CAB suppresses the effects of PRL by targeting the D2R. In this study, we used in silico and in vivo approaches to examine the side effects of CAB using chicken as a model.
Methods:
Thirty fertilized eggs were equally divided into three groups: one control and two experimental groups treated with CAB at doses of 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg, respectively. After 18 days of experiment, embryo weight, average body length, chorioallantoic vessels length, and relative PRL gene expression were analyzed. Also, prolactin-protein interaction and functional pathways regulated by PRL and associated proteins were investigated using the STRING database.
Results:
Macroscopic analysis showed a significant increase (17.54 ± 0.28) and decrease (12.92 ± 0.38) in weight in the 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg groups, respectively, as compared to the control. A significant reduction in body size and an increase in chorionic vessel development were observed only in the 0.5 mg/kg group. PRL expression levels significantly decreased in both CAB-treated groups. In silico analysis revealed PRL interactions with INS and POMC proteins, which are conserved between H. sapiens and G. gallus.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that CAB not only reduces prolactin levels but also affects fetal weight and body size.
Insights
Cabergine (CAB) impacts prolactin (PRL) levels and fetal development in chickens. This study investigated CAB
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Prolactin (PRL) is a key neurohypophyseal hormone influencing behavior, growth, and angiogenesis.
- Cabergine (CAB) is known to suppress PRL effects by targeting the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential side effects of Cabergine (CAB) on fetal development.
- To examine the impact of CAB on prolactin (PRL) gene expression and related physiological parameters in a chicken model.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in silico and in vivo approaches with 30 fertilized chicken eggs divided into control and two CAB-treated groups (0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg).
- Analyzed embryo weight, body length, chorioallantoic vessel length, and relative PRL gene expression after 18 days.
- Employed the STRING database for in silico analysis of prolactin-protein interactions and functional pathways.
Main Results:
- CAB treatment at 0.5 mg/kg increased embryo weight, while 1 mg/kg decreased it compared to controls.
- A significant reduction in body size and increased chorionic vessel development were noted at 0.5 mg/kg CAB.
- PRL gene expression significantly decreased in both CAB-treated groups.
- In silico analysis identified conserved interactions between PRL, INS, and POMC proteins in humans and chickens.
Conclusions:
- Cabergine (CAB) effectively reduces prolactin (PRL) levels in developing chicken embryos.
- CAB administration influences fetal weight and body size, indicating potential developmental side effects.
- Identified conserved protein interactions relevant to PRL function across species.
