Abstract
Summary
The role of various neurotransmitter receptor antagonists in the ether-induced release of prolactin in estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats was investigated. Serial blood samples were obtained by orbital sinus puncture at 5, 15, 25, and 35 min of continuous ether anesthesia. Animals were pretreated 25 min before the onset of anesthesia with either α- or β-adrenergic, H1- or H2-histaminergic, or serotonergic antagonists, α-Adrenergic blockade increased the ether-induced release of prolactin during the early phase of ether anesthesia as did treatment with methysergide, a 5-HT antagonist. Blockade of H1,-histami-nergic receptors and treatment with another 5-HT antagonist, SQ 10,631, decreased the ether-induced response in the later phase of anesthesia. β-Adrenergic and H2-histami-nergic blockade were without effect on the ether-induced release of prolactin. These studies indicate the possible involvement of noradrenergic, histaminergic, and serotonergic systems in the release of prolactin following ether anesthesia in the female rat.
The authors wish to express their appreciation to Mrs. C. Van De Walle for her expert technical assistance and to the Rat Pituitary Hormone Distribution Program of NIAMDD for the generous gift of rat prolactin.
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