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Prolactin and the renin-aldosterone axis in human pregnancy
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|December 1, 1980
Summary
Altering prolactin (PRL) levels with bromocriptine or chlorpromazine did not affect blood pressure or osmolality in early pregnancy. The renin-aldosterone system remained independent of PRL during this period.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Physiology
- Cardiovascular Regulation
Background:
- Prolactin (PRL) is suggested to have an osmoregulatory role.
- The renin-aldosterone system is crucial for pressure-volume homeostasis.
- Understanding PRL's interaction with this system during pregnancy is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of acute prolactin (PRL) level alterations on cardiovascular and osmoregulatory parameters.
- To determine the relationship between PRL and the renin-aldosterone system during early pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Administered bromocriptine to suppress PRL and chlorpromazine to elevate PRL.
- Monitored mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), serum osmolality, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone concentrations.
- Assessed changes over a 180-minute period in early pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Bromocriptine significantly suppressed mean baseline PRL by 83%.
- Chlorpromazine significantly increased PRL more than twofold.
- No significant changes in MAP, serum osmolality, plasma renin activity, or aldosterone were observed after drug administration.
Conclusions:
- Acute alterations in prolactin (PRL) do not significantly impact mean arterial blood pressure, serum osmolality, or the renin-aldosterone system in early pregnancy.
- The renin-aldosterone axis appears independent of PRL during early pregnancy.
- The renin-aldosterone system is resistant to the beta-adrenergic effects of chlorpromazine during this physiological state.