Relaxin stimulates prolactin secretion from anterior pituitary cells

Maria Angela Sortino, Michael J. Cronin, Phyllis M. Wise

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The anterior pituitary has recently been implicated as a relaxin target issue because of the cAMP elevation after relaxin treatment. We attempted to correlate this finding with an endocrine response to relaxin in rats. Anterior pituitary cells were enzymatically dispersed and subjected to the reverse hemolytic plaque assay. PRL secretion was significantly stimulated 1.31-fold by human relaxin at the lowest concentration studied (30 pM) and maximally stimulated 1.65-fold at 0.3 nM relaxin. Antibodies directed against relaxin inhibited this effect, as did the PRL inhibitory hormone, dopamine. In contrast to the response of PRL cells, there was no effect or a slight inhibition of LH release after incubation with relaxin. In conclusion, we propose that one of the pituitary cell types responsive to relaxin in culture is the PRL-secreting mammotroph.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2013-2015
Number of pages3
JournalEndocrinology
Volume124
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology

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