Characterization of the dopaminergic input to the pituitary gland throughout the estrous cycle of the rat.

Changes in the concentrations of dopamine (DA) and its major metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), were characterized in the pituitary gland throughout the 4-day estrous cycle of the rat. Female rats were sacrificed at 2- to 3-hour intervals throughout each day of the 4-day estrous cycle. Pituitary glands were removed, and the concentrations of DA and DOPAC were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection. The concentration of prolactin (PRL) in serum from these same animals was determined by radioimmunoassay. The concentration of DA in the anterior lobe was constant throughout most of the 4-day estrous cycle. Prior to initiation of the proestrous surge of PRL, there were significant (p < 0.05) decreases in the concentrations of both DA and DOPAC in the anterior lobe which returned to elevated baseline levels just prior to the termination of the proestrous surge of PRL. The concentrations of DA and DOPAC in the intermediate lobe exhibited a daily rhythm. However, in the intermediate as well as in the anterior lobe, there were significant (p < 0.001) decreases in the concentrations of both DA and DOPAC, coincident with the initiation of the proestrous surge of PRL. Similarly, coincident with the peak of the proestrous surge of PRL, there were significant (p < 0.001) increases in the concentrations of DA and DOPAC in the intermediate lobe, followed by a return to basal levels and resumption of the daily rhythm. The pattern of the concentrations of DA and DOPAC in the neural lobe was also daily in nature, with peaks occurring between 13.00 and 15.00 h each day of the 4-day estrous cycle. These data, taken together: (1) confirm that a decrease of the concentrations of DA and DOPAC occurs in the anterior lobe prior to the proestrous surge of PRL; (2) reveal that DA is released in a daily pattern at intermediate and neural lobes, and (3) suggest an apparent role for DA released to the intermediate lobe in the regulation of the proestrous surge of PRL.