Abstract
To further clarify the relationship between the central serotonergic system and the control of prolactin secretion, we studied the effect of dorsal raphe' lesions, electrical stimulation of the midbrain raphe' nucleus and treatment with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) on prolactin secretion. Radio frequency destruction of serotonergic cell bodies in the midbrain dorsal raphe' nucleus or PCPA decreased forebrain serotonin (5HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) concentration and prolactin secretion. Electrical stimulation of the raphe' increased forebrain serotonin turnover and prolactin secretion. These observations indicate that serotonergic neurons located in the raphe' nuclei may be involved in regulating prolactin secretion in male rats.