Damage to Hypothalamic Dopaminergic Neurons Is Associated with Development of Prolactin-Secreting Pituitary Tumors

Abstract

Old female rats with spontaneous prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors (prolactinomas) and young females with prolactinomas produced by prolonged estrogen treatment had damaged tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons. Since these neurons inhibit the function of pituitary prolactin-secreting cells, their destruction may lead to development of prolactinomas.