Use of quin 2 to measure calcium concentrations in ovine anterior pituitary cells and the effects of quin 2 on secretion of growth hormone and prolactin.

Intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations [Ca2+]i were measured in ovine anterior pituitary cells using the quin 2 technique. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) increased, dopamine decreased and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) had no detectable effect on [Ca2+]i. Loading the cells with quin 2, at an intracellular concentration less than that used during calcium determination, reduced both basal growth hormone (GH) and (to a small extent) prolactin secretion. Loading cells with quin 2 also markedly reduced GHRH-stimulated GH secretion. However, TRH-stimulated prolactin secretion was 3-times basal irrespective of quin 2 loading. The results indicate that the use of quin 2 to measure [Ca2+]i in some cell types may be complicated by actions of quin 2 on cellular function.