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Evidence that melatonin binding sites in the pars tuberalis do not mediate the photoperiodic actions of melatonin on LH and prolactin secretion in ewes

An experiment was designed to determine whether the pars tuberalis is the site of action of melatonin involved in the photoperiodic control of LH and prolactin secretion in sheep. In an attempt to produce a 'short-day' effect on these hormones (i.e. stimulation of LH secretion and inhibition of prolactin release), microimplants of melatonin were placed either around the pituitary stalk (n = 6) or in the third ventricle (n = 5) as a control for the efficacy of the microimplant. Two sham-operated groups were treated with empty microimplants around the pituitary stalk (n = 4) or in the third ventricle (n = 3). A further two control groups were given either no melatonin (n = 5) or a melatonin implant s.c. (n = 6). Administration of a melatonin implant s.c. is known to stimulate LH secretion and inhibit prolactin release in photoperiodically inhibited ewes. During the experiment (over 75 days), there was no significant increase in LH concentrations for the ewes receiving melatonin around the pituitary stalk. A similar lack of response was noted in the untreated or sham-treated ewes. In contrast, LH concentrations increased in ewes treated with the melatonin microimplant in the third ventricle on day 37 (± 4) and remained high until day 62 (± 4). Similarly, in the ewes given an implant s.c., LH concentrations rose on day 39 (± 4) and remained high until the end of the study. Furthermore, melatonin caused an inhibition of prolactin secretion relative to controls only when delivered to these sites (i.e. s.c. and into the third ventricle, but not around the pituitary stalk). These results do not support the hypothesis that the pars tuberalis is a site of action of melatonin involved in the photoperiodic control of gonadotrophin or prolactin secretion in ewes.

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