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Effects of Cocaine on Basal and Pulsatile Prolactin Levels in Rhesus Monkeys

Thomas S. King, PhD

Mary H. Samuels, MD

Arturo Moreno

Theresa M. Siler-Khodr, PhD

Carlton A. Eddy, PhD

Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas; Division of Endocnrnology, Diabetes and Chnical Nutnrtion, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon

Robert S. Schenken, MD

Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas and Division of Endocnrnology, Diabetes and Chnical Nutnrtion, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Department of OB-GYN, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX 78284-7836schenken{at}uthscsa.edu

OBJECTIVES: Cocaine abuse is often associated with reproductive cycle dysfunction including altered menstrual cyclicity and decreased ovulation rates. Cocaine might also alter prolactin (PRL) secretion, presumably through the effects of this drug on hypothalamic dopamine, the primaryfactor regulating pituitary PRL secretion. We assessed basal and pulsatile PRL levels to determine whether hyperprolactinemia is associated with cocaine-induced disruption of menstrual cyclicity in rhesus monkeys.

METHODS: Normally cycling, drug-naïve monkeys were studied. Cocaine-treated animals were pair-fed with controls to minimize cocaine-related diferences in caloric intake. Twenty-eight monkeys were randomized to receive daily intravenous (iv) infusion of saline or cocaine (1, 2, or 4 mg/kg) on cycle days 2-14. Daily blood samples were obtained through indwelling catheters for measurement of ovarian steroids, gonadotropins, and PRL. Laparoscopy was performed 2 days after the midcycle estradiol surge to document ovulation. Sixteen other monkeys were randomized to receive daily iv infusion of saline or cocaine (4 mg/kg). Blood samples were obtained every 15 minutes for 8 hours in the early (cycle day 1-5), mid- (cycle day 6-10), and late (cycle day 11-15)follicularphase. Plasma was assayedforPRL, andpulses were identified by cluster analysis.

RESULTS: All seven control monkeys had laparoscopically confirmed ovulation compared to two of seven monkeys receiving 1 mg/kg, three of seven monkeys receiving 2 mg/kg, and one of seven receiving 4 mg/kg of cocaine hydrochloride. Cycle length was normal in six of seven controls, and in one of seven, two of seven, and two of seven monkeys receiving the 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg of cocaine, respectively. Estradiol levels were signJifcantly higher in controls versus cocaine-treated monkeys, but there was no diference in basal gonadotropin levels during treatment. Mean PRL levels during treatment were significantly lower (P < .05) in controls (4.6 ± 0.2 ng/mL) as compared to monkeys receiving 1 (6.5 ± 0.6 ng/mL), 2 (6.1 ± 0.4 ng/mL), and 4 mg/kg (7.2 ± 0.6 ng/mL) of cocaine. There was no significant difference in PRL pulse amplitude orfrequency between controls and cocaine-treated monkeys during each cycle phase.

CONCLUSIONS: Circulating PRL levels were slightly higher in monkeys receiving cocaine during the follicular phase. Although this increase was statistically significant, PRL levels remained well within the euprolactinemic range in cocaine-treated monkeys.

Key Words: Cocaine • prolactin • rhesus monkey

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