Prolactin stimulation of parathyroid hormone secretion in bovine parathyroid cells.

Previous studies have suggested that prolactin (PRL) may affect calcium (Ca) homeostasis by an action on vitamin D metabolism. In this study, the effects of PRL on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion were investigated in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells (PTC). PRL (0.013-1.3 microM) caused concentration-dependent increases in PTH secretion. PRL-stimulated PTH release was apparent as early as 1 h and was progressive thereafter for up to 3 h. PRL enhanced PTH release over a wide range of ambient Ca concentrations (0.5-2.0 microM). Ovine and rat PRL were more effective than bovine PRL in stimulating PTH secretion. This effect was apparently specific for PRL because neither ovine nor bovine growth hormone stimulated PTH secretion. PRL-stimulated PTH release was not mediated through the beta-adrenergic or dopaminergic receptor systems of PTC and was not associated with increased adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels. This study demonstrated a direct effect of PRL to stimulate PTH secretion in vitro. Although these data do not provide evidence for an effect of PRL in vivo, we suggest a mechanism by which PRL may influence parathyroid function and Ca homeostasis in the bovine species.