Autoregulation of rat pituitary prolactin secretion demonstrated by a new perfusion method

Regulation of prolactin secretion was investigated by perfusing rat pituitaries in vitro. Two pituitary glands from inbred rats were transplanted beneath the renal capsule of a third recipient rat. Three weeks later, the transplanted kidney was removed and perfused in vitro with a defined cell-free medium. Normal renal function was maintained during perfusion, and cell morphology of the transplants remained unchanged as assessed by electron microscopy. Pituitary prolactin content did not change after 120 min of perfusion despite release of approximately 10 micrograms of hormone. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (10 ng/ml) did not stimulate prolactin release; dopamine (20 ng/ml) rapidly, but transiently inhibited prolactin release; bromocriptine (20 ng/ml) rapidly and persistently inhibited prolactin release; haloperidol (100 ng/ml) blocked the inhibition by dopamine or bromocriptine, but when given alone inhibited prolactin release. Finally, prolactin release was also inhibited by the presence of 100 and 200 ng/ml, but not 50 ng/ml of NIAMDD RP-1 rat prolactin. It is concluded that in vitro perfusion of transplanted rat pituitaries provides a new model for studying the direct effect of agents on the secretion of prolactin from the pituitary and that rat prolactin and/or its metabolites directly inhibit pituitary prolactin secretion.