Influence of dopamine energic pharmacology drugs on secretion of the adrenocorticotropic hormone from the hypophysis

To elucidate the role of dopamine as a neuromediator in the adrenocorticotr opic hormone (ACTH) secretion, investigations were carried out with dopamin e energic pharmacology drugs on male white Wistar rats. In the first series of experiments, the effects of 200 mg/kg body wt L-DOPA, of the combinatio n of 200 mg/kg L-DOPA and 50 mg/kg body wt carbidopa, and of 2.5 mg/kg body wt bromocriptine, after a single intraperitoneal injection of ACTH in the serum of rats after 30, 90 and 120 min, following the injection, were studi ed. In the second series of experiments, the effect of 200 mg/kg body wt L- DOPA, of the combination of 200 mg/kg body wt L-DOPA and 50 mg/kg body wt c arbidopa, of 1 mg/kg body wt bromocriptine, after intraperitoneal injection , on the concentration of ACTH in the serum within 7 days, were assessed. T he inhibition of agonists of dopamine after ACTH secretion with repeated ap plication has been shown. Using a radio-immunology assay with test kits, th e amount of ACTH in the serum was determined.