[Ultrastructural study of stimulation induced by sulpiride on prolactin and gonadotrope cells of hypophysis in male and female rats (author's transl)].

This study concerns the analysis of the ultrastructural modifications in the hypophysis induced after repeated administration over a period of one to five weeks of Sulpiride in male and female rats. The hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the prolactin cells, as well as the dilatation of the intercellular spaces are increased with duration of treatment. The prolactin cells present: a highly developped R.E.R., very rich in ribosomes, a hypertrophied Golgi area showing an active condensation in granules of the secreted material. A massive extrusion of mature and immature granules at the level of the plasmic membrane is observed throughout the treatment. The Sulpiride, therefore, induces a strong activation of the hormonal synthesis and release in the prolactin cells. The gonadotrope cells also show a strong stimulation and the same cytologic modifications that are found in the castrated animal. The thyreotrope and somatotrope cells do not appear affected by Sulpiride treatment. The possibility of a direct action by Sulpiride on the hypophysis is discussed.