Pineal-induced alterations in reproductive function and pituitary prolactin in the female rat: the effects of bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy and nervi conarii transection.

The reproductive organs of female rats subjected to blinding and and anosmia were hypotrophic while pituitary prolactin stores were markedly depressed in these animals. All of the effects of dual sensory deprivation were reversed by either superior cervical ganglionectomy or nervi conarii transection. It was concluded that both of these surgical procedures were as effective as pinealectomy in reversing the pineal-induced alterations in the reproductive physiology of the blind-anosmic female rat.