Korean J Urol.  1985 Apr;26(2):95-101.

Effects of Induced Hyper/Hypoprolactinemia to Gonad and Sex Accessory Gland in Male Rat

• Han SW
• Lee MS

Abstract

High plasma levels of prolactin induced by transplants of four donor pituitaries under kidney capsule in adult male rat resulted in suppression of the plasma levels of testosterone, decreased numbers of Leydig cells and decreased height of prostatic glandular cells. In contrast low plasma levels of prolactin induced by treatment with bromoceiptine in adult male rat resulted in increased plasma levels of testosterone, increased number of Leydig cells and increased height of prostatic glandular cells. The area of the seminiferous tubule was not changed under any circumstance. And the basal plasma levels of testosterone in testicular vein were proportioned to its levels in I.V.C. It suggests that adrenal gland has minimal effects on action of prolactin to gonad. The change of basal plasma level of testosterone accompanied by the change of numbers of Leydig cells under induced hyperprolactinemia and hypoprolactinemia suggest that prolactin affects the testis including the anatomical change. These results support that hyperprolactinemia appear to sensitize the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to the negative feedback effects of gonadal steroids and that bromocriptine has indirect or direct effects on steroidogenesis of testis.

Keyword

prolactin; sex accessory gland; gonad

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Glands
Adult
Animals
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Bromocriptine
Gonads*
Humans
Hyperprolactinemia
Kidney
Leydig Cells
Male*
Plasma
Prolactin
Rats*
Seminiferous Tubules
Steroids
Testis
Testosterone
Tissue Donors
Veins
Bromocriptine
Prolactin
Steroids
Testosterone