The effects of bromocriptine and prolactin on porphyrin biosynthesis in the harderian gland of the male hamster, Mesocritecus auratus.

Porphyrin biosynthesis was examined in the Harderian gland of the male golden hamster by fluorometric assays of gland porphyrin content and by measuring the activity of a rate-limiting enzyme for haem biosynthesis, 5-aminolaevulinic acid synthase. Both porphyrin content and enzyme activity are low in normal male glands but were greatly raised in males castrated for 6 weeks. However, porphyrin synthesis remained at basal levels in castrates given the dopamine agonist bromocriptine; this suppression could be reversed by simultaneous prolactin administration, and castrated males receiving prolactin alone exhibited very high enzyme activity and porphyrin content. Bromocriptine also prevents the morphological feminisation of the Harderian gland which would normally occur after castration; again, the simultaneous administration of prolactin permits feminisation to occur. The results support the hypothesis that, while androgens have an inhibitory effect on porphyrin synthesis within this model, other factors, including prolactin, are permissive.