The sulpiride test in panhypopituitarism.

The results obtained with a new test of prolactin (PRL) release in six panhypopituitary patients as compared to fourteen normal subjects (eight females and six males) are presented. The test consists of the i.m. administration of 100 mg of sulpiride and the measurement of plasma PRL by a double antibody radioimmunoassay techniques at--15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 min. Mean baseline PRL values were not significantly different in the three groups. After sulpiride a 800-4200% increment of prolactin over control values was noted in the females and 1200-3500% increment in the males. The peak values were obtained at 15 or 30 min (6030+/-670 mu/l +/-SEM in the females and 5550+/-870 mu/l in the males). The mean values were not significantly different in the two sexes until the sixtieth minute but were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the female thereafter. In the hypopituitary patients a complete failure of response was noted. These results show that the sulpiride test possesses a considerable potential as a screening procedure in the diagnosis of pituitary insufficiency.