Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurosecretion in the Human Hypothalamus:In VitroRegulation by Dopamine*

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Abstract
An in vitro perifusion system was used to investigate GnRH release from adult human hypothalami in response to dopamine (DA) and the DA receptor antagonist haloperidol (HAL). Administration of a 1-µM pulse of DA consistently elicited a mean ± SE 218 ± 59%increase(P < 0.05; n = 5) in GnRH release, whereas 1 µM HAL had no effect. Administration of 1 µM DA during three perifusions in which 1 µM HAL was added to the medium failedto alter basal GnRH release. Incontrast, DA did evoke an acute 98 ± 39% increase (P < 0.06) in GnRH release during threematching perifusions with medium containing the α-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine. These studies demonstrate that DA can stimulate in vitro release of GnRH from the adult human hypothalamus by a DA receptormediated mechanism.