Puberty of female rats may in part be explained by decreased hypothalamic dopamine receptor sensitivity.

Dopamine (DA)-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the hypothalamus and preoptic area is highest at day 20 after birth and declines gradually to reach adult values at the time of puberty. Previously it was shown that serum prolactin levels and hypothalamic DA turnover show an inverse pattern. It is suggested that increasing prolactin levels stimulate DA turnover which results in inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) release. The constantly high DA turnover at later prepuberal ages desensitizes DA receptors which gradually relieves the inhibitory action of DA on LH release.