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Published on: February 11, 2019
Inhibitory influence of catecholamines on prolactin release in the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Abstract:
The involvement of catecholamines (CAs) in the control of prolactin (PRL) secretion was investigated in female turkeys. The birds were treated with DL-alpha-methyltyrosine methyl ester HCl (alpha-MT; 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg), diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC; 200 or 400 mg/kg), or phentolamine (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg), all antiadrenergic drugs. Reduction in central CAs by alpha-MT or DDC, or blockade of adrenergic receptors by phentolamine resulted in elevated serum PRL levels in a dose-dependent manner. Prior administration of the adrenergic stimulant clonidine (15, 150, or 1500 micrograms/kg) attenuated the elevated PRL response to phentolamine (20 mg/kg). These results are consistent with the view that the release of PRL in the turkey may be under the inhibitory influence of an adrenergic system.
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