Role of catecholamines in the central actions of medroxyprogesterone acetate

The role of catecholamines in the mechanism of antiovulatory and other central effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) has been studied in adult healthy, non-pregnant female albino rats. It has been observed that a single dose of MPA (100 mg/kg) given intramuscularly did not cause any significant change in brain catecholamine levels after 7 days of treatment. However, there was a significant reduction in brain dopamine levels after 15 days of MPA administration. This reduction in brain dopamine levels may be responsible for the anti-ovulatory activity of MPA. Certain side effects of MPA such as amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea, breast tenderness, breast tumors, inactivity and depression may also be due to decrease in brain dopamine levels.