Effects of minaprine, a novel antidepressant, on prolactin secretion in the rat.

The effect of minaprine, a novel psychotropic drug with antidepressant properties, on prolactin secretion has been investigated in the rat. On intraperitoneal administration (10 and 20 mg kg-1) it significantly decreased basal prolactin levels. In contrast, both haloperidol (1 mg kg-1 i.p.) and morphine (20 mg kg-1 i.p.) increased serum prolactin levels and daily treatment with oestradiol (100 micrograms kg-1 s.c.) for 4 days also elevated the levels. Minaprine at a dose of 20 mg kg-1 failed to antagonize the elevation of serum prolactin levels induced by these drugs. The results imply that minaprine may not exert a direct inhibitory action on prolactin secretion at the pituitary gland.