Onset of oestrogen-induced prolactin secretion and DNA synthesis by the rat pituitary gland.

The times of onset of oestrogen-induced prolactin secretion and DNA synthesis were studied in the pituitary gland of the male rat. At intervals from 3 to 96 h after injection of 10 mg diethylstilboestrol dipropionate, serum and pituitary prolactin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and pituitary DNA synthesis by incorporation of [3H]-thymidine in vitro. Serum prolactin was raised significantly from 6 h onwards and DNA synthesis was increased from 30 h onwards. Pituitary prolactin concentration began to increase at 30 h. Significant correlations were obtained between serum prolactin and DNA synthesis from 24 to 72 h but not during the period of prolactin secretion from 6 to 24 h.