[The central catecholaminergic mechanisms regulating thyroid function in birds]

Response of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-thyroid system of birds to drugs influencing brain catecholaminergic structures was analyzed by means of radioimmunoassay and morphometry. The 12-day- and 60-day-old cockerels were given dopamine precursor (L-DOPA), dopamine-blocking agent (haloperidole) and alpha-adrenoceptor activator (phenylephrine) during 7 days. The results obtained demonstrate that the brain catecholaminergic structures have participated in regulation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-thyroid system of birds. The dopaminergic structures have inhibited, the thyroid function while, alpha-adrenergic structures have stimulated it.