Evidence for Adrenergic Mediation of Cholinergic Inhibition of Prolactin Release

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Abstract
Pilocarpine, a cholinergic agonist, significantly reduced the high levels of serum prolactin [PRL] in estrogen-primed male rats and in female rats on the late afternoon of proestrus. In male rats treated with reserpine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol or pimozide, serum PRL levels were greatly elevated. Subsequent treatment with pilocarpine failed to reduce serum PRL concentrations in these rats. When atropine, a cholinergic antagonist, was injected i.p. in doses of 3-250 mg/kg into male rats, PRL release was not altered. When atropine was injected prior to pilocarpine, it prevented the reduction in serum PRL latter drug. Methylatropine, which does not enter the CNS, did not prevent pilocarpine from inhibiting PRL release. Cholinergic inhibition of PRL release is mediated via adrenergic neurons; probably a role for a cholinergic link in hypothalamic regulation of PRL release is supported.

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