Growth hormone and prolactin content of hyperplastic anterior pituitary of dehydroepiandrosterone treated rats.

30 days after implantation of 80 mg dehydroepiandrosterone (androst-5-en-3betaol-17-one) hyperplastic enlargement of the anterior pituitary has been observed in about 80 per cent of the female rats. There was an important increase of prolactin content, growth hormone content remained unchanged. The mentioned alterations were found to be reversible, since regression was observed after DEA treatment exceeding 30 days. In females developing no hyperplasia pituitary growth hormone contentration and content has been decreased, prolactin content remained unchanged. In male rats on identical treatment no change of pituitary weight, growth hormone and prolactin concent has been found. The results suggest that, under physiological conditions, DEA does not affect pituitary growth hormone and prolactin content, however response to pharmacological doses was different in male and female rats.