Striatal dopamine release stimulated by amphetamine or potassium: influence of ovarian hormones and the light-dark cycle.

The release of endogenous dopamine (DA) from rat striatal tissue was studied in an in vitro superfusion system following hormonal manipulations in vivo. Progesterone treatment in estrogen-primed ovariectomized female rats potentiated DA release stimulated either by amphetamine or potassium (K+). In addition, the amount of striatal DA released in response to K+-stimulation was influenced by the light-dark cycle. We conclude that striatal DA release is modulated by ovarian hormones, and suggest that ovarian hormone modulation of presynaptic striatal DA activity may contribute to well-known estrous cycle dependent variations in some non-reproductive behaviors.