Effect of methyldopa on prolactin serum concentration

Baldini, Marina; Cornelli, Umberto; Molinari, Maurizio

doi:10.1007/bf01046712

Cited by 4 publications

References 13 publications

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Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Medications and Male Reproduction

Drobnis

Nangia

2017

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

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Cardiovascular and respiratory medications are used by men of reproductive age although use of the former is most prevalent in advanced age. Many of these drugs have been associated with sexual dysfunction, including erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction, but for most there is insufficient evidence to link their use with testicular dysfunction, reduced semen quality or infertility. Some exceptions are the irreversible α-adrenergic antagonist phenoxybenzamine, which carries a high risk of retrograde ejaculation; the specific α-adrenergic antagonists silodosin and tamsulosin, used primarily to treat BPH/lower urinary tract symptoms, which can cause retrograde ejaculation; and the peripheral β-adrenergic antagonist atenolol, used to treat hypertension, which may decrease testosterone/free-testosterone levels. In this chapter, we review the evidence available regarding adverse reactions on male reproduction of adrenergic receptor agonists/antagonists, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics, digoxin, and hydralazine. For some of these medications, there is some evidence for male reproductive effects, along with some solid work in experimental and companion animal species suggesting negative effects. In contrast, and of special note, are calcium channel blockers, which have long been included on lists of medications with the potential to cause male infertility. This turns out to be a good example of a substance with profound effects on sperm function in vitro, but with limited evidence for in vivo effects on semen quality or fertility, even in experimental species. We hope that the evidence provided in this chapter will stimulate additional studies for these important classes of medications.

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Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Medications and Male Reproduction

Drobnis

Nangia

2017

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

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Drugs and Pituitary Function

Carlson

2011

The Pituitary

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Dopamine as a Prolactin (PRL) Inhibitor

2001

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Dopamine is a small and relatively simple molecule that fulfills diverse functions. Within the brain, it acts as a classical neurotransmitter whose attenuation or overactivity can result in disorders such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Major advances in the cloning and characterization of biosynthetic enzymes, transporters, and receptors have increased our knowledge regarding the metabolism, release, reuptake, and mechanism of action of dopamine. Dopamine reaches the pituitary via hypophysial portal blood from several hypothalamic nerve tracts that are regulated by PRL itself, estrogens, and several neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. Dopamine binds to type-2 dopamine receptors that are functionally linked to membrane channels and G proteins and suppresses the high intrinsic secretory activity of the pituitary lactotrophs. In addition to inhibiting PRL release by controlling calcium fluxes, dopamine activates several interacting intracellular signaling pathways and suppresses PRL gene expression and lactotroph proliferation. Thus, PRL homeostasis should be viewed in the context of a fine balance between the action of dopamine as an inhibitor and the many hypothalamic, systemic, and local factors acting as stimulators, none of which has yet emerged as a primary PRL releasing factor. The generation of transgenic animals with overexpressed or mutated genes expanded our understanding of dopamine-PRL interactions and the physiological consequences of their perturbations. PRL release in humans, which differs in many respects from that in laboratory animals, is affected by several drugs used in clinical practice. Hyperprolactinemia is a major neuroendocrine-related cause of reproductive disturbances in both men and women. The treatment of hyperprolactinemia has greatly benefited from the generation of progressively more effective and selective dopaminergic drugs.

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Effect of methyldopa on prolactin serum concentration

Cited by 4 publications

References 13 publications

Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Medications and Male Reproduction

Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Medications and Male Reproduction

Drugs and Pituitary Function

Dopamine as a Prolactin (PRL) Inhibitor

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