CHRONIC EFFECT OF HYPERPROLACTINEMIA ON BLOOD-GLUCOSE AND LIPID-LEVELS IN MICE

We studied the chronic effects of hyperprolactinemia, induced by ectop ic pituitary grafting, on blood glucose and lipid levels in adult male mice. For one year after pituitary grafting, we measured the blood le vels of prolactin, growth hormone (GK), insulin, glucose and free fatt y acid (FFA) at various intervals. The graft caused consistent hyperpr olactinemia without changes in the serum GH levels. Hypoglycemia devel oped at 1 and 3 months after grafting but was not accompanied by any c hanges of the serum insulin levels. Thereafter, the blood glucose and serum insulin levels began to increase in the pituitary-grafted (PG) m ice, and at 12 months after the operation, both levels became signific antly higher in PG mice than controls. The serum FFA levels and the we ight of epididymal fat bodies were significantly lower in PG mice than controls from 3-12 months after the grafting. Thus, hyperprolactinemi a leads to persistent hypolipidemia and biphasic changes in the blood glucose level.