The effect of prolactin (Prl) on oestrogen-induced gonadotrophin secretion was examined in vitro in a sequential double chamber perfusion system. As control groups, mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH)-pituitary pairs or pituitaries without the MBHs were perifused with Medium 199. As an experimental group, MBH-pituitary pairs were perifused with Medium 199 containing 1 micrograms/ml of rat Prl. These groups were stimulated with 10(-7) M oestradiol-17 beta (E2) for 30 min, and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the serial fractions of effluent was measured. In the control group of MBH-pituitary pairs perifused with medium without Prl, secretion of LH began to rise within 30 min after the beginning of stimulation, reached a peak 30 min after the end of stimulation and then remained at a plateau for the rest of the experimental period, whereas in the control group of pituitaries alone no significant response was observed. In the experimental group perifused with medium containing Prl, LH-secretion showed peaks 20 and 80 min after the end of E2-stimulation, respectively, and the first peak was significantly (P less than 0.01) less than the level in the control group. These data demonstrate that Prl at this concentration suppressed the rapid LH release induced by E2. Its site of action is suggested to be at the hypothalamic level, and its possible mechanism of action is discussed.