Ovine prolactin administration modifies [ 3H]spiperone binding to striatal membranes of rabbits

The binding of [ 3H]spiperone to striatal membranes from rabbit brain was evaluated in untreated male and female and in female rabbits after treatment with ovine prolactin (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or with saline. Unsubstantial differences were found between male and female striatal [ 3H]spiperone binding sites, both in affinity and density. Ovine prolactin treatment induced an increased binding site density and a lower affinity than occurred in the female controls. These results appear similar to those obtained after chronic neuroleptic treatment and confirm that prolactin is able to affect the dopaminergic neurotransmission system.