Evidence
for Prolactin Releasing Activity of Neuropeptide FF in Rats
by Antti A.Aamisalo, Raimo K.Tuominen, Maija Nieminen,
Petri Vainio and Pertti Panula
Received:
June 10, 1997;
Accepted: August 15, 1997
Abstract
Neuropeptide
FF (NPFF) is found in high concentrations in the pituitary and
spinal cord of rat. We have measured the effect of NPFF on the
release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone
(GH) and prolactin (PRL). NPFF released PRL in vivo and in vitro
in male rats. NPFF was more effective than thyrotropin-releasing
hormone (TRH) in vitro in AP cell cultures of male rats. NPFF
had no effect on the release of GH or TSH from AP cells in vitro.
One of the functions of hypothalamic NPFF may be regulation
of the anterior lobe and release of prolactin from the lactotropes.
The lactotropes may contain functional receptors for NPFF. Our
results also support the importance of multiple factors in coordinated
regulation of PRL release.
