The Effects of Reserpine on Reproductive Function in Female Rats.

The mechanism of ovulation in mammalians has been brought to the field of study in the past decade. The ovulation is undoubtedly induced by the gonadotropin from the adenohypophysis. On the other hand the mechanism controlling the release of gonadotropin from the adenohypophysis has not been clearly elucidated. No matter what mechanism is involved in triggering the gonadotropin secretion from adenohypophysis, it is of interest that certain chemicals stimulate or suppress the secretion of gonadotropin from the adenohypophysis. The blocking agents include wide variety of drugs: antiadrenergic agents [Dibenamine (Sawyer et al., 1947, 1949a and b; Everett et al., 1949; Everett and Sawyer, 1949; van Tienhoven et al., 1954; van Tienhoven, 1955), SKF501 (Sawyer et al., 1950; Zarrow and Bastian, 1953; Everett and Sawyer, 1953)], anticholinergic agents [atropine (Foster et al., 1934; Sawyer et al., 1949a, b and c; Everett et al., 1949; Everett and Sawyer, 1949; van Tienhoben et al., 1954; van Tienhoven 1955), Banthine (Sawyer et al., 1951), Pathilon (Gitsch and Everett, 1958; Gitsch, 1958)], barbiturates (Westman, 1947; Sawyer, 1949; Everett and Sawyer, 1950; Everett, 1952; Doering and Goez, 1952), morphine (Barraclough and Sawyer, 1954 and 1955, Sawyer et al., 1955), procaine (Westman and Jacobson, 1942), tranquilizers (Gaunt et al., 1961), and other agents (Pino et al., 1954). Concerning the action of reserpine on the reproductive function, Gaunt et al. (1954) first reported that it might block ovulation in rats. Krais et al. (1954) reported that the vaginal cycles in rats were maintained in a cyclic condition with administration of Megaphen (phenothiazide), and regained the cyclic change after the cessation of the drug. De Feo et al. (1956) and Erickson et al. (1960) observed the cessation of menstrual cycle in rhesus monkey following the administration of reserpine. Whitelaw (1956) reported the delay of menstruation in the women treated with chlorpromazine for functional infertility or premenstrual tension. Tuchmann-Duplessis (1956) produced persistent diestrus associated with the atretic follicles in the ovaries of rats with the administration of reserpine. Barraclough