Influence of L-5-hydroxytryptophan on the secretion of prolactin and on plasma levels of gonadotropins
Bellanca, L.; Latteri, M.T.; Latteri, S.; Bajardi, G.; Cassano, T.; Latteri, M.
La Clinica Terapeutica 109(5): 429-432
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9074 PMID: 6236933 Document Number: 225807
The effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan (a serotonin precursor) on prolactin and gonadotropin release in women with normal hormone patterns were studied. Experiments were planned considering that dopaminergic tubero-infundibular neurons, which control prolactin release from the hypophysis, receive inhibitory inpulses from serotoninergic and noradrenergic neurons. Whether gonadotropin release is influenced by variations of cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine concentrations was also studied. The 5-HT precursor, at least at the dosage and administration schedule adopted in the present plasma prolactin concentrations and of low LH and FSH levels. These data are of some interest since possible drug-induced variations of plasma prolactin concentrations might play a role in the onset or maintenance of mammary dysplasias.