ABSTRACT
The effects of galanin on the hypothalamic control of prolactin (PRL) secretion have been analyzed in more detail. Galanin is a neuroendocrine peptide that regulates the secretion of several anterior pituitary hormones, including Growth hormone (GH), PRL and luteinizing hormone. Galaninergic neurons within the hypothalamus appear to play an important role in the control of basal and episodic GH secretion in the rat. Immunohistochemical studies have shown the presence of galanin-containing cell bodies throughout the rat brain, with the highest concentration observed in the hypothalamus. In the hypothalamus, galanin-containing cell bodies in the magnocellular regions of the paraventricular and supraoptic also stain with antisera directed against vasopressin. The initial effects of galanin on anterior pituitary function were reported by Ottlecz et al. In short, galanin immunoneutralization converted male GH sectretory patterns into patterns more closely resembling those seen in females.
