Circadian rhythm of prolactin surges induced by stimulation of the uterine cervix in the ovariectomized rat: its sexual differentiation and preoptic regulation.

Abstract

Stimulation of the uterine cervix (CS) induced a nocturnal surge of prolactin at 04.00 h and a diurnal surge at 17.00h in normal ovariectomized rats. However, the CS-induced prolactin propionate during the neonatal period. Chronic bilateral lesions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) completely abolished the CS-induced nocturnal and diurnal surges of prolactin release which were observed in sham-lesioned, ovariectomized rats. Furthermore, bilateral lesions of the medial basal part of the suprachiasmatic area (MBSC), lying rostral to the SCN, were also effective in blocking the CS-induced nocturnal and diurnal surges. Lesions which destroyed mainly the optic chiasma and extended partially into the MBSC and SCN did not block the CS-induced prolactin surges. These results suggest that one reason for the failure of ovary-grafted male rats and neonatally androgenized female rats to maintain pseudopregnancy is the extinction of the circadian rhythm of the two daily prolactin surges, and that the MBSC, in addition to the SCN which is known to be a generator of other circadian rhythms, is involved in generation of the rhythm of prolactin surges.