A neuromodulatory role for taurine in controlling prolactin secretion in female rats

Abstract (1) The intraventricular (ivt) infusion of taurine (0.2 or 2.0 μmole) elevated plasma prolactin levels. (2) Hypotaurine, a close structural analog, also promoted prolactin secretion following ivt infusion of 2.0 μmoles. (3) A slight rise in prolactin occurred following the intrapituitary infusion of taurine or hypotaurine. (4) A low dose of taurine (0.02 μmole, ivt) resulted in a modest drop in plasma prolactin. (5) Systemic injection of taurine (0.5 mmole) was not effective in altering prolactin secretion.