Effects of bromocriptine‐induced hypoprolactinaemia on the developmental pattern of androgen and LH levels in the male rat

Abstract

In immature male rats, receiving daily injections of bromocriptine (3 mg/kg bw), serum prolactin (Prl) remains low throughout development. In such hypoprolactinaemic males androgen variables are affected: a) the normally low pre‐pubertal serum androgen (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone‐T, DHT) is considerably increased, in correlation with a precocious development of the testicular Leydig cell population; b) the peri‐pubertal rise of androgen is not prevented, but it is followed by significantly lower post‐pubertal T, DHT levels, in correlation with moderately reduced Leydig cell counts and with strongly attenuated growth rates of sex accessory organs. Observed alterations of the post‐natal androgen pattern cannot be related to LH changes since developmental LH values remained essentially unaltered. Results are in concordance with a marked age‐dependent sensibility of androgen variables to a lack of Prl in the developing male. Copyright © 1982, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved