Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of the prolactin-inhibiting substances bromocripton and lergotrile on hydromineral regulation in rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri

  • Published:
Journal of comparative physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Plasma Na+, K+ and osmotic pressure were measured in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) following the administration of the prolactin-inhibiting substances Lergotrile and Bromocripton. Both drugs elicited a significant fall in plasma Na+ concentrations although a significant response to Bromocripton was apparent only in trout acclimated to distilled water.

The changes in plasma Na+ levels and in some cases of plasma osmotic pressure following administration of the prolactin-inhibiting substances were consistent with the hypothesis that prolactin acts to maintain plasma Na+ levels in this salmonid species in the same manner as in other teleosts. However, since the changes in plasma ions were small (albeit significant) is is proposed that prolactin may play a less important role in osmotic and/or ionic regulation in this species than it does in other teleostean species. Conversely, it may be that the drugs effects a less complete blockage of prolactin secretion than they appear to do in mammals.

Ovine prolactin, administered with the drugs, effected a partial retention of plasma Na+ in Lergotrile-injected fish but did not significantly modify the effect of Bromocripton. These findings are discussed in light of the proposed action of the drugs, namely that of inhibiting the release of endogenous prolactin.

Both Bromocripton and Lergotrile caused a significant fall in hematocrit values. Since plasma osmotic pressure values and plasma K+ concentrations were not markedly affected by the drugs (except for a significant (P<0.01) reduction in plasma osmotic pressure in the Bromocriptons-injected groups maintained in distilled water) it was thought that these changes were due to a reduction in the number of blood cells in the peripheral circulation rather than to an influx of water in response to the inhibition of prolactin.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ball, J. N.: Prolactin (fish prolactin or paralactin) and growth hormone. In: Fish Physiology, Vol. II (eds. W. S. Hoar, D. J. Randall, 0. 207–240). New York: Academic Press (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, J. N., Baker, B.: The pituitary gland: anatomy and histophysiology. In: Fish Physiology, vol. II (eds. W. S. Hoars, D. J. Randall), p. 1–110. New York: Academic Press 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartke, A.: Effects of inhibitors of pituitary prolactin release on testicular cholesterol stores, seminal vesicles weight, fertility, and lactation in mice. Biol. Reprod.11, 319–325 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, H., Van Overbeeke, A. P.: Ultrastructure of the eta cells in the pituitary gland of adult migratory sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). Canad. J. Zool.47, 937–941 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson, E. M., McBride, J. R.: The effects of hypophysectomy in the rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri (Rich.) with special reference to the pituitary-interrenal axis. Gen. comp. Endocr.9, 93–101 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ectors, F., Danguy, A., Pasteels, J. L.: Ultrastructure of organ cultures of rat hypophyses exposed to ergocornine. J. Endocr.52, 211–212 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ensor, D. M., Ball, J. N.: Prolactin and osmoregulation in fishes. Fed. Proc.31, 1615–1623 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. W.: Endocrine control of hydromineral balance in teleosts. Amer. Zool.13, 799–818 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahlou, B., Sawyer, W. H.: Electrolyte balance in hypophysectomized goldifsh,Carassius auratus L. Gen. comp. Endocr.12, 370–377 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam, T. J.: Prolactin and hydromineral regulation in fishes. Gen. comp. Endocr., Suppl.3, 328–338 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leatherland, J. F., Ball, J. N., Hyder, M.: Structure and fine structure of the hypophyseal pars distalis in indigenous African species of the GenusTilapia. Cell. Tiss. Res.149, 245–266 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leatherland, J. F., Ensor, D. M.: Activity of autotransplanted pituitary glands in goldfish,Carassius auratus L., maintained in different ambient salinities. Canad. J. Zool.51, 225–235 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leatherland, J. F., Lin, L.: Activity of the pituitary gland in embryo and larval stages of coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch. Canad. J Zool.53, 297–310 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leatherland, J. F., McKeown, B. A.: Effect of ambient salinity on prolactin and growth hormone secretion and on hydromineral regulation in Kokanee Salmon smolts (Oncorhynchus nerka). J. comp. Physiol.89, 215–226 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahajan, K. K., Horrobin, D. F., Robinson, C. J.: Metabolic effects of 2-bromo ergocryptinemethane-sulphonate (CB-1954) in the rat. J. Endocr.64, 587–588 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • McKeown, B. A.: Effect of 2-Br-α-Ergocryptine on freshwater survival in the teleostsXiphophorus hellerii andPoecilia latipinna. Experientia (Basel)28, 675–676 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagahama, Y., Nishioka, R. S., Bern, H. A., Gunther, R. L.: Control of prolactin secretion in teleosts with special reference toGillichthys mirabilis andTilapia mossambica. Gen. comp. Endocr.25, 166–188 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivereau, M., Ball, J. N.: Pituitary influences on osmoregulation in teleosts. Mem. Soc. Endocrinol.18, 57–85 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivereau, M., Chartier-Baraduc, M. M.: Action de la prolactine chez l'Anguille intacte et hypophysectomisée. II. Effects sur les électrolytes plasmatiques (sodium, potassium et calcium). Gen. comp. Endocr.7, 27–36 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasteels, J. L., Danguy, A., Frerotte, M., Ectors, F.: Inhibitation de la sécrétion de prolactine par l'ergocornine et la 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine: Action directe sur l'hypophyse en culture. Ann. Endocr. (Paris)32, 188–192 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolland, R., De Jong, F. H., Schellekens, L. A., Lequin, R. M.: The role of prolactin in the restoration of ovarian function during the early post-partum period in the human female. II. A study during inhibition of lactation by Bromergocryptine. Clin. Endocr.4, 27–38 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall, D. J., Hoar, W. S.: Special techniques. In: Fish physiology, Vol. VI (eds. W. S. Hoar, D. J. Randall), p. 511–528. New York: Academic Press (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreibman, M. P., Leatherland, J. F., McKeown, B. A.: Functional morphology of the teleost pituitary gland. Amer. Zool.13, 719–742 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Seki, K., Seki, M., Okumura, T.: Effect of CB-154 (2-Br-α-ergocryptine) on serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin in womens with the amenorrhoeagalactorrhea syndrome. Acta endocr. (Kbh.)79 25–33 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steel, R. G. D., Torrie, J. H.: Principles and procedures of statistics. New York-Toronto-London: McGraw-Hill 1960

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, University of Guelph, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

    J. F. Leatherland

Authors
  1. J. F. Leatherland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leatherland, J.F. Effect of the prolactin-inhibiting substances bromocripton and lergotrile on hydromineral regulation in rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri . J Comp Physiol B 105, 233–242 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691125

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691125

Keywords

Search

Navigation