In-vivo evaluation of dopamine receptor-mediated inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion from the pituitary gland of the goldfish, Carassius auratus

Dopamine acts directly on the pituitary to modulate gonadotrophin (GtH) secretion in goldfish (Carassius auratus). In the light of this important role for dopamine in the regulation of goldfish reproduction, this investigation was designed to evaluate the receptor specificity of this dopamine inhibition and to describe the use of domperidone, a specific dopamine D2-receptor antagonist, in the manipulation of pituitary function in goldfish. To investigate the specificity of dopamine inhibition of GtH secretion, selected dopamine receptor antagonists were injected i.p. to block dopamine receptors thereby increasing GtH secretion as reflected by increased serum concentrations of GtH. Serum GtH levels were significantly increased by the active stereoisomer (-)-sulpiride in a dose-related fashion; (+)-sulpiride had no effect. Comparison of dopamine antagonists at low doses indicated that only domperidone and pimozide caused significant increases in serum concentrations of GtH. Dopamine antagonists potentiated the action of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-A) with an order of potency of domperidone = pimozide greater than metoclopramide = fluphenazine. 3H]Domperidone, injected i.p. with unlabelled domperidone, entered the blood and achieved maximum concentrations 12 h after injection, but did not accumulate in the brain in appreciable amounts. Gonadal 3H radioactivity was usually equal to or in excess of blood radioactivity, while 3H]domperidone was highly concentrated in the pituitary in a time-dependent fashion, with maximal accumulation occurring 24 h after injection. The time-course of pituitary accumulation of 3H]domperidone correlated well with the temporal increase in serum GtH levels in response to i.p. injected domperidone or domperidone plus an analogue of LHRH. Domperidone increased serum concentrations of GtH in a dose-related fashion; an analogue of salmon GnRH (sGnRH-A) increased the sensitivity and magnitude of the serum GtH response to domperidone. Serum concentrations of GtH were increased by sGnRH-A in a dose-related fashion; a low dose of domperidone substantially increased the sensitivity of the serum GtH response to sGnRH-A. These results indicate that dopamine inhibits GtH secretion from the goldfish pituitary by acting through a specific mechanism mediated by a dopamine D2 receptor. Domperidone increased serum concentrations of GtH, potentiated the action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormones and did not pass into the brain after i.p. injection into goldfish. The data also suggest that dopamine and GnRH, although acting through different receptors, influence the effect of each other on GtH release.