Deprenyl stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary in vitro

The direct effects of deprenyl on the pituitary were investigated by measuring the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary glands of male Sprague-Dawley rats in vitro. Basal release of LH was determined by incubating the pituitaries in Krebs-Ringer Henseleit (KRH) solution with 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 mM of deprenyl for 1 h. In the control group, LH release was not different in pre- and posttreatment periods. In contrast, in the 10 mM group, LH release increased by 436% (p<0.01). Incubation of pituitaries with 0.1 or 1 mM deprenyl did not alter LH release. It is concluded that deprenyl a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, can also act directly on the pituitary.