Effect of aromatase inhibitors on the functional morphology of the pituitary gland of dogs and monkeys.

It was the goal of our studies to investigate the role of androgens and/or estrogens for the regulation of the negative feedback mechanism as well as the regulation of secretion of prolactin in male dogs and a male subhuman primate species by means of the aromatase inhibitor 1-Methyl-ADD and/or the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate. Based on our results an important but not exclusive role of estrogens in the feedback control of gonadotropic secretion in the dog and the cynomolgus monkey has been suggested. Androgens appear to be involved too. As far as prolactin is concerned it was concluded that estrogens do not always and under all conditions stimulate prolactin in primates and in dogs and that androgens also appear to stimulate prolactin in male individuals.