Summary
Apart from the role which may be played by hypothalamic polypeptides in the control of pituitary function, the possible function of hypothalamic monoamines should also be considered in this respect.
A dopaminergic tubero-infundibular tract has been described. The implantation of reserpine into the hypothalamus of rats causes a disappearance of the fluorescent material representing dopamine. In such animals pituitary-adrenocortical activity is normal, suggesting that the presence of monoamines in the median eminence is not obligatory for the control of ACTH secretion. However, hypothalamic reserpine implants appear to induce pseudopregnancy, indicating that prolactin secretion is increased. It is concluded that dopamine may act as an inhibitory neurotransmitter for prolactin release.
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References
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© 1969 Springer-Verlag Wien
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Smelik, P.G. (1969). Role of Hypothalamic Monoamines in the Control of Pituitary Secretions. In: Kappers, J.A. (eds) Neurohormones and Neurohumors. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-25519-3_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-25519-3_13
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