Bromocriptine Is Unable to Suppress TRH-Stimulated Beta-Endorphin/Beta-Lipotropin and Cortisol Secretion in Normal Pregnant Women after Delivery

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Abstract

The course of plasma β-endorphin/β-lipotropin, cortisol and prolactin (PRL) levels was followed from 0.5 till 5 h after normal delivery in 13 healthy women. Six subjects who did not want to breast-feed their child received 2.5 mg bromocriptine orally 1 h after delivery. After 3 h the effect of the intravenous administration of 200 µg thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was also measured. Elevated plasma β-endorphin and cortisol levels decreased after delivery in a (log) linear fashion which was not influenced by bromocriptine. TRH elicited a significant short-lived identical increase in plasma β-endorphin/β-lipotropin concentrations in the control and the bromocriptine-treated subjects. TRH similarly delayed the rapid decline in plasma cortisol levels in both groups of women. Basal and TRH-induced PRL levels were rapidly suppressed by bromocriptine. These studies show the presence of a paradoxical increase of β-endorphin/β-lipotropin and cortisol levels in response to TRH occurring shortly after delivery in normal women. This response cannot be mediated by the placenta. The absence of an inhibiting effect of bromocriptine on basal and TRH-induced β-endorphin and cortisol release does not lend support to the hypothesis of the presence of a functionally active intermediate pituitary lobe in man early in puerperium.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): HRE

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Horm Res Paediatr

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.1663-2818

Title: Hormone Research in Paediatrics

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Print): 1663-2818

ISSN (Electronic): 1663-2826

Publication date Subscription-year: 1987

Publication date (Print): 1987

Publication date (Electronic): 28 November 2008

Volume: 27

Issue: 4

Pages: 195-199

Affiliations

Departments of ^aMedicine, ^bObstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, and ^cDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Bergweg Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Article

Publisher ID: 180819 Other ID: Horm Res 1987;27:195–199

DOI: 10.1159/000180819

PubMed ID: 2963790

SO-VID: 3e8c2aa1-b138-4002-8f7d-965fc4030ff6

License:

Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

History

Date received : 05 November 1986

Date accepted : 26 June 1987

Page count

Pages: 5

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