Alpha 2 and beta adrenoceptors in the mediobasal hypothalamus and alpha 2 adrenoceptors in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus stimulate prolactin secretion in the conscious male rat.

Plasma prolactin concentrations were measured in unanaesthetized male rats before and after stereotaxic microinjection of adrenergic agents into the mediobasal and preoptic-anterior hypothalamus. In the mediobasal hypothalamus injection of the alpha 2 agonist clonidine produced a dose-dependent increase in prolactin secretion over the dose range 0.1 to 10 nmoles, the stimulation due to 1 nmole being blocked by idazoxan (alpha 2 antagonist). Stimulation of prolactin release was also caused by isoprenaline (beta agonist) and was significantly reduced by the beta antagonist propranolol. The beta 2 agonist salbutamol was also effective in stimulating prolactin secretion. However, the adrenergic agonists, noradrenaline (mixed alpha and beta), phenylephrine (alpha 1) and tyramine (sympathomimetic) failed to affect prolactin secretion. In the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus clonidine caused a dose-dependent increase in prolactin secretion over the dose range 0.001 to 10 nmoles, the stimulation due to 0.1 nmole being abolished by idazoxan. While prolactin levels were significantly elevated by noradrenaline and tyramine, phenylephrine was ineffective. We conclude that the activation of alpha 2 and beta 2 adrenoceptors in the mediobasal hypothalamus and of alpha 2 adrenoceptors in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus, on or near prolactin-regulating neurons, results in increased prolactin secretion. An alpha 1 inhibitory action in the mediobasal hypothalamus has however not been ruled out. Adrenergic inputs in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus appear to exert a predominant facilitatory effect on prolactin secretion.