The study aims to validate the dose of haloperidol (HPL) and sulpiride (SPD)
needed to induce hyperprolactinemia in both male and female albino rats and
to evaluate the neurochemical, hematological and histological changes in the
anterior pituitary gland, adrenal gland, and spleen. HPL (1, 2 and 5
mg/kg/day) and SPD (20 and 40 mg/kg/day) significantly (p<0.05) increased
the serum prolactin (PRL) level. They showed hypertrophic reversible
changes in the cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Unlike SPD, HPL showed
dose-dependent hyperprolactinemia. So the highest dose of HPL and a lower
dose of SPD were used for further study. HPL 5 mg/kg/day for 16 days and
SPD 20 mg/kg/day for 28 days significantly decreased dopamine
concentration in brain homogenate. They also cause an increase in total
leukocyte count (TLC) and a decrease in red blood cell (RBC) count and
hemoglobin (Hb) concentration. In addition, Spleen shows signs of infection
or inflammation. HPL (5 mg/kg/day) for 16 days and SPD (20 mg/kg/day) for
28 days may be used as experimental models to induce hyperprolactinemia in
both male and female rats. The decrease in dopamine level, changes in
hematological parameters and spleen inflammation can be used as the
markers of hyperprolactinemia
Keywords: Haloperidol, sulpiride, hyperprolactinemia, dopamine, animal
model