Comparative evaluation on the effect of selected ergot-derived dopamine on some female reproductive hormones in Wistar rats

Abstract

Background: Hormonal imbalance can occur during some disease conditions, while in some other cases, an increase or decrease in the levels of the female hormones in the body might be associated with adverse effects from drugs and may also pose the risk of infertility and Ovarian cancers when these drugs are abused. Although the dopamine agonists have been helpful in ameliorating some disease conditions, it could also cause an adverse effect on the reproductive hormones and other organs of the body. Objective: This study comparatively evaluated the effect of Bromocriptine and Cabergoline on some female reproductive hormones. Methodology: This study was carried out using twenty-five rats grouped into five groups of five rats in each. Group one was the control group, Group 2 and 3 were low and high dose of Bromocriptine, while Group 4 and 5 were low and high dose Cabergoline. The drugs were administered twenty-four hourly and lasted for 21 days. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. Results: The results for the bioassay of FSH, LH, PROG, PRO and Estrogen revealed that both low and high dose of Bromocriptine and Cabergoline administered to the Wistar rats caused an increase in the concentration of FSH, LH, Progesterone, Prolactin and Estrogen. The level of Prolactin and Estrogen increased significantly at 0.05 level. However, a decrease was observed in prolactin and estrogen level when administered High dose bromocriptine and Low dose cabergoline respectively. Conclusion: This assessment therefore suggests that both Cabergoline and Bromocriptine had no adverse effects on the female reproductive hormones, however, Cabergoline may pose greater effectiveness than bromocriptine, hence adherence to prescription is necessary for effectiveness.