The effect of the nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic, buspirone (BusparR), a serotonin (5-HT)1A partial agonist, which also has dopamine (DA)2 receptor antagonist properties, on prolactin and cortisol secretion was examined in eight normal male volunteers. The oral administration of buspirone (30 mg) significantly increased plasma prolactin concentrations but did not significantly increase plasma cortisol concentrations in this study. The oral administration of pindolol (30mg), a beta adrenoceptor antagonist which is also a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, had no significant effect on basal prolactin or cortisol levels. Moreover, pretreatment with pindolol did not significantly inhibit the buspirone-induced increase in prolactin secretion. These preliminary data are suggestive that buspirone-induced prolactin secretion is not mediated via 5-HT1A receptor activation.