Bromocriptine acts to ________.

Bromocriptine acts to ________.

• A. Inhibit the release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary gland.
• B. Inhibit the production of clotting factor VIII from the posterior pituitary gland.
• C. Suppress the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland.
• D. Suppress the release of antidiuretic hormone from the anterior pituitary gland.

Answer: (A)

Bromocriptine acts by mimicking dopamine and stimulating D2 receptors on lactotrophs in the anterior pituitary, which inhibits prolactin secretion. This is why it’s used to treat hyperprolactinemia and prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors—the dopamine signal keeps prolactin levels in check. The other options mix up sources and hormones: clotting factor VIII isn’t produced by the pituitary, and the posterior pituitary releases ADH and oxytocin, not clotting factors; growth hormone release is regulated mainly by GHRH and somatostatin, and while dopamine can influence pituitary hormones in some contexts, the primary action of bromocriptine is prolactin suppression.

Bromocriptine acts by mimicking dopamine and stimulating D2 receptors on lactotrophs in the anterior pituitary, which inhibits prolactin secretion. This is why it’s used to treat hyperprolactinemia and prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors—the dopamine signal keeps prolactin levels in check. The other options mix up sources and hormones: clotting factor VIII isn’t produced by the pituitary, and the posterior pituitary releases ADH and oxytocin, not clotting factors; growth hormone release is regulated mainly by GHRH and somatostatin, and while dopamine can influence pituitary hormones in some contexts, the primary action of bromocriptine is prolactin suppression.