Further Evidence on the Direct Action of L-Dopa on Prolactin Release

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Abstract
Male rats with anterior pituitary transplants underneath the kidney capsule were injected with L-dopa (20 mg/kg i.v.). Plasma prolactin levels which were high in these animals fell as early as 10 min after the L-dopa injection. Conversely when rats pretreated with the inhibitor of peripheral dopa-decarboxylase, L-α-methyldopa hydrazide, plasma prolactin was not modified by L-dopa. This drug blocks dopamine formation from L-dopa at the periphery whereas it increases it in the brain and hypothalamus. The results support the view that large doses of L-dopa may directly influence prolactin release through the local formation of dopamine.

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