Effect and site of action of hypothalamic neuropeptides on prolactin release in sheep

Abstract

In an attempt to identify a physiological prolactin-releasing factor in the sheep, ovariectomized ewes were given intracarotid injections (10-8-10-7 mol/animal) of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine-isoleucine amide (PHI), oxytocin (OT), arginine vasopressin (AVP), substance P (SP), bombesin (BB), neurotensin (NT) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Administration of TRH, AVP, NT and OT resulted in immediate and significant increases in plasma prolactin concentrations, the greatest stimulatory effect being obtained after TRH; other peptides had no effect in ovariectomized hypothalamo-pituitary intact ewes. AVP, NT and OT failed to release pr..