Circadian changes of serum prolactin levels and tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neuron activities in ovariectomized rats treated with or without estrogen: the role of the suprachiasmatic nuclei. 1994

L M Mai, and K R Shieh, and J T Pan
Institute of Physiology, National Yang-Ming Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Variations of serum prolactin (PRL) levels and activities of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons during the afternoon of ovariectomized (OVX) rats treated with or without estrogen were determined in this study. Long-term OVX rats treated with or without polyestradiol phosphate (0.1 mg/rat, s.c.) were decapitated every hour from 10.00 to 19.00 h (except 11.00 and 13.00 h). Serum PRL and median eminence (ME) dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) or dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography plus electrochemical detection, respectively. A prominent PRL surge started and peaked around 14.00-15.00 h, and remained significantly higher than levels of 10.00 and 12.00 h throughout the afternoon. Significant decreases of ME DOPAC and DOPA concentrations were also observed between 14.00 and 19.00 h. In OVX rats with no estrogen replacement, no PRL surge was observed and the changes of ME DOPAC concentrations during the afternoon were not significant except for that at 17.00 h. The ME DOPA accumulation, however, exhibited significantly lower levels from 14.00 to 19.00 h than that at 12.00 h, indicating that an endogenous rhythm for DA synthesis existed in OVX rats. In estrogen-treated OVX rats bearing bilateral lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei, both changes in serum PRL level and TIDA neuron activity were abolished. We conclude that an endogenous rhythm of the activities of TIDA neurons may exist in both OVX and OVX plus estrogen-treated rats. The rhythm is regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei and may be amplified by estrogen for the induction of PRL surge.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007031 Hypothalamus Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE. Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D008473 Median Eminence Raised area at the infundibular region of the HYPOTHALAMUS at the floor of the BRAIN, ventral to the THIRD VENTRICLE and adjacent to the ARCUATE NUCLEUS OF HYPOTHALAMUS. It contains the terminals of hypothalamic neurons and the capillary network of hypophyseal portal system, thus serving as a neuroendocrine link between the brain and the PITUITARY GLAND. Eminentia Mediana,Medial Eminence,Eminence, Medial,Eminence, Median,Eminences, Medial,Eminentia Medianas,Medial Eminences,Mediana, Eminentia,Medianas, Eminentia
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010052 Ovariectomy The surgical removal of one or both ovaries. Castration, Female,Oophorectomy,Bilateral Ovariectomy,Bilateral Ovariectomies,Castrations, Female,Female Castration,Female Castrations,Oophorectomies,Ovariectomies,Ovariectomies, Bilateral,Ovariectomy, Bilateral
D011388 Prolactin A lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). It is a polypeptide of approximately 23 kD. Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation. Prolactin receptors are present in the mammary gland, hypothalamus, liver, ovary, testis, and prostate. Lactogenic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropin,PRL (Prolactin),Hormone, Pituitary Lactogenic,Hormone, Pituitary Mammotropic,Pituitary Lactogenic Hormone,Pituitary Mammotropic Hormone
D002940 Circadian Rhythm The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli. Diurnal Rhythm,Nyctohemeral Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythm,Nycthemeral Rhythm,Circadian Rhythms,Diurnal Rhythms,Nycthemeral Rhythms,Nyctohemeral Rhythms,Rhythm, Circadian,Rhythm, Diurnal,Rhythm, Nycthemeral,Rhythm, Nyctohemeral,Rhythm, Twenty-Four Hour,Rhythms, Circadian,Rhythms, Diurnal,Rhythms, Nycthemeral,Rhythms, Nyctohemeral,Rhythms, Twenty-Four Hour,Twenty Four Hour Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythms
D004295 Dihydroxyphenylalanine A beta-hydroxylated derivative of phenylalanine. The D-form of dihydroxyphenylalanine has less physiologic activity than the L-form and is commonly used experimentally to determine whether the pharmacological effects of LEVODOPA are stereospecific. Dopa,3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,3-Hydroxy-DL-tyrosine,Dihydroxyphenylalanine Hydrochloride, (2:1),beta-Hydroxytyrosine,3 Hydroxy DL tyrosine,3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,beta Hydroxytyrosine
D004298 Dopamine One of the catecholamine NEUROTRANSMITTERS in the brain. It is derived from TYROSINE and is the precursor to NOREPINEPHRINE and EPINEPHRINE. Dopamine is a major transmitter in the extrapyramidal system of the brain, and important in regulating movement. A family of receptors (RECEPTORS, DOPAMINE) mediate its action. Hydroxytyramine,3,4-Dihydroxyphenethylamine,4-(2-Aminoethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Dopamine Hydrochloride,Intropin,3,4 Dihydroxyphenethylamine,Hydrochloride, Dopamine
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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