Abstract
Summary
Mean plasma prolactin levels obtained from male rats following anesthesia with ketamine, decapitation or via indwelling venous catheters were not significantly different although a larger variance was found in the samples obtained via catheters. Ketamine, at anesthetic doses, did not affect the increases in prolactin produced by reserpine or α-methylparatyrosine. Ketamine, at various doses, did not potentiate the effect of subthreshold doses of 5-hydroxytryptophan on prolactin secretion. Thus, ketamine would appear to be a suitable anesthetic for use in studies of prolactin secretion in male rats. Further studies in female rats are required.
Supported in part by grant nos. USPHS MH 30938, 29206, and RCSA MH 47808 to HYM.
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