Prolactin and bromocriptine induced changes in liver, adipose tissue and blood lipids of mature male bonnet monkeys, Macaca radiata (Geoffroy).

Effects of prolactin and bromocriptine on neutral and phospholipids of liver, adipose tissue and serum were studied in mature male bonnet monkeys. Hyperprolactinemia (ovine prolactin, 250 micrograms/kg body weight/day, i.p. for 30 days) elevated hepatic total lipids and phospholipids and decreased total and free cholesterol. While triacyl glycerol accumulated, mono-and diacyl glycerols diminished in liver and adipose tissues of prolactin treated monkeys. Concentrations of all phospholipid fractions, except sphingomyelin and cardiolipin in adipose tissue accrued in both tissues. Serum triacylglycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl inositol showed a significant increase in hyperprolactinaemic monkeys. Bromocriptine (1 mg/kg body weight/day for 30 days) treatment reduced serum phospholipids without altering hepatic or adipose tissue lipids. The present study indicates that hyperprolactinaemia leads to hyperlipidemia due to accretion of hepatic and adipose tissue triacyl glycerol and certain phospholipid fractions. Bromocriptine has a specific inhibitory effect on serum phospholipids.