Reduced prolactin release during immobilization stress in thyrotoxic rats: role of the central serotoninergic system

Adult Wistar male rats in a thyrotoxic state T4 increases rats) induced by administration of T4 (350 micrograms/kg/day, i.p. for 7 days) as well as their euthyroid controls were submitted to immobilization stress during forty minutes. Prolactin (PRL) secretion during stress was significantly lower in T4 increases rats as compared to control animals. Treatment with MK 212, a serotoninergic agonist, entirely reverts this situation. The effect of MK 212 seems to be due to its interaction with 5-HT2 receptors since it is blocked by LY 53857, a selective 5-HT2 antagonist. Furthermore, the blockade of 5-HT2 receptors by LY 53857, a selective 5-HT2 antagonist, significantly diminishes prolactin (PRL) response to stress in euthyroid rats but has no effect in T4 increases animals. It is suggested that an increased concentration of thyroid hormone in plasma disrupts an endogenous serotoninergic brain input necessary to trigger stress-induced PRL rise.