Evaluation of the central dopaminergic activity in gestational hyperprolactinaemia by means of the electroretinographic technique
De Luca Brunori, I.; Moggi, G.; Fornaro, P.; Teti, G.; Murru, S.; Gadducci, A.; Castrogiovanni, P.; Perossini, M.
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology 12(1-2): 13-15
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-6663 PMID: 3987022 Document Number: 256577
Electroretinography, a simple, bloodless technique commonly used in ophthalmological diagnostic practice, seems to give important informations on the level of activity of the retinal and/or other central dopaminergic systems. The Authors have employed this technique in a group of 30 normal pregnant women in the ninth month of gestation, in order to evaluate the dopaminergic activity in a condition of physiological hyperprolactinemia, such as pregnancy, and in a group of 25 normal nonpregnant control women. The b wave amplitude of the electroretinographic traces was significantly higher in pregnant women than in controls, suggesting an over-activity of dopaminergic systems in late pregnancy. The possible interpretations of these data are discussed.