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Inhibition of thyrotropin and prolactin secretion by dopamine in man

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Abstract

The effect of dopamine on thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) levels was studied in 5 normal subjects, 7 women with galactorrhea, 9 acromegalics and 4 patients with primary hypothyroidism. Dopamine infused at the rate of 280 μg/min produced significant decrease in plasma TSH and PRL levels in all four groups, though a lower fall in TSH was noted in acromegalics. A similar reduction in PRL was also noted after 28 μg/min dopamine. Phentolamine infusion (0.5 mg/min) had no effect on PRL response to dopamine. These results indicate that a dopaminergic stimulation led to an inhibition of TSH and PRL secretion. Since the high polarity of dopamine impedes its passage through the blood-brain barrier, its site of action should be outside this barrier, probably in the pituitary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Università di Torino - Corso Polonia, 14 - Torino, 10126, Torino, Italy

    Ferdinanda Massara, F. Camanni, V. Vergano, L. Belforte & G. M. Molinatti

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  1. Ferdinanda Massara
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  2. F. Camanni
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  3. V. Vergano
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  4. L. Belforte
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  5. G. M. Molinatti
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Massara, F., Camanni, F., Vergano, V. et al. Inhibition of thyrotropin and prolactin secretion by dopamine in man. J Endocrinol Invest 1, 25–30 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346767

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346767

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