Effects of short-term hyperprolactinemia on the endocrine reproductive system in male rabbits

We have systematically studied the effects of short-term hyperprolactinemia on reproductive function in male rabbits. Purified ovine prolactin (PRL) was administered intravenously, as bolus injections or by constant infusion, to unanesthetized animals bearing two chronically implanted Silastic catheters; blood samples were obtained via the second catheter. Short-term hyperprolactinemia did not modify serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations in either castrated or intact rabbits. However, in spite of no changes in LH and FSH, short-term PRL administration lowered the serum testosterone (T) in intact animals. Furthermore, while PRL had no effect on the LH and FSH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, it did inhibit the testicular secretion of T in response to the increased endogenous LH. PRL also inhibited human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated T secretion by the testes. All of these studies indicate that PRL interferes with the testicular response to LH. The fact that LH and FSH did not rise in response to the lowered T in intact animals suggested that PRL also altered the steroid feedback control of LH and FSH secretion. To assess this, PRL or saline was repeatedly injected after castration. PRL prevented the postcastration rise in LH and FSH. These studies indicate that PRL acts at at least two sites in the reproductive system in rabbits: (1) directly at a gonadal level by interfering with gonadotropin action and (2) at a hypothalamic-pituitary central level by preventing the expected rise in gonadotropins in response to low gonadal steroids.