Role of putative neurotransmitters in prolactin, GH and LH response to acute immobilization stress in male rats.

Immobilization for 30 min induced a significant rise of prolactin (Prl), a significant reduction of growth hormone (GH), and no modification of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) values in male rats. Depletion of brain catecholamine stores increased Prl and decreased LH levels while GH secretion was not affected. Blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors reduced GH and increased LH values. Plasma GH levels were also drastically reduced by depletion of brain serotonin (SER) levels and by atropine, and were increased by blockade of the H1 histamine (HIS) receptor. The anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agent picrotoxin significantly reduced Prl and GH plasma levels. Depletion of brain catecholamine stores or blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors antagonized the restraint-induced rise of plasma Prl values, while the decrease of GH elicited by stress was not modified by any pharmacological manipulation. These results indicate that although several putative neurotransmitters (PN) of the central nervous system (CNS) are implicated in the modulation of baseline levels of Prl, GH and LH, only the stress-induced activation of Prl secretion appears to be mediated by a PN, namely through a noradrenergic, beta-adrenergic route.