HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by CARDINALI, D. P. Articles by MOGUILEVSKY, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by CARDINALI, D. P. Articles by MOGUILEVSKY, J.

The effects of melatonin on serum prolactin levels were examined in ovariectomized rats primed with oestradiol and progesterone, and subjected to bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy or pinealectomy.

Ganglionectomy resulted in a significant depression of the serum prolactin concentration, as well as in impairment of the prolactin release evoked by administration of steroid. Treatment with melatonin increased serum prolactin in control but not in ganglionectomized rats. Injection of melatonin potentiated the steroid-induced release of prolactin in control rats; this effect of melatonin was not detected in ganglionectomized rats. Pinealectomy did not affect basal prolactin levels, nor impair the release of prolactin evoked by steroid treatment; however, it was effective in blocking the melatonin-induced release of prolactin in vehicletreated rats, as well as the potentiation of steroid-induced prolactin release by melatonin. Intracranial surgery by itself increased prolactin release. These results suggest that systemically administered melatonin needs an intact pineal gland to augment serum prolactin levels.