What is the hormone Prolactin?

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Huynh Thi Hien - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital

Prolactin is an important hormone involved in women's milk production and also affects other cellular functions. Prolactin is also valuable in supporting the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the reproductive function of both sexes.

Prolactin (PRL), also known as luteotropic hormone or luteotropin, is a protein that plays an important role in the production and secretion of milk. Prolactin was discovered in animals by Oscar Riddle in 1930, then in 1970 was confirmed in humans by Henry Friesen.
Prolactin is produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and secreted in stages in response to problems with eating, intercourse, estrogen-related treatment, ovulation, and most importantly, stimulation. enjoy milk production.
Prolactin secretion by the pituitary gland is regulated by neurons of the hypothalamus:
TIDA neurons: The most important cells of the amygdala, which secrete dopamine (suppressive hormone). inhibits prolactin production) acts on the D2 receptor of lactotrophs to inhibit prolactin secretion. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone helps stimulate the release of prolactin. Prolactin has a molecular weight of about 22 - 23 kD, and is composed of 198 different amino acids. In serum, prolactin exists in 3 different forms:
Monomeric form: 80%, is the biologically active and immunogenic form. Binary form: accounting for 5 - 20%, this form is not biologically active. Quaternary form: accounted for 0.5 - 5%, is the form with low biological activity. Prolactin is present in both men and women, and is elevated in pregnant and lactating women.
Women: In non-pregnant people it is 2 - 29 ng/ml, in pregnant and lactating women it is 10 - 209 ng/ml. Prolactin index in men: 2 - 18 ng/ml.

Prolactin plays an important role in the body's metabolism, regulates the immune system and is directly involved in the development of the pancreas.
Prolactin works by a similar mechanism to cytokines, playing an important role in:
Regulating the immune system and the body's metabolism. Involved in cell growth.

Affects cell differentiation. Prevents cyclical cell death. Prolactin has a profound effect on hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, and also participates in blood clotting. The target organ of prolactin is the mammary gland with the role of promoting the development of the mammary gland and the differentiation of the mammary gland, stimulating the mammary glands to produce milk after childbirth, and then combining with oxytocin to push the milk out. Some postpartum cases of not having enough milk for lactation can also be caused by postpartum prolactin deficiency.
In the reproductive system, prolactin is also known as the corpus luteum hormone. It is directly involved in the ovulation process to form menstruation and facilitate conception. Blood prolactin levels are inversely proportional to blood estrogen levels. When prolactin levels rise, estrogen levels decrease. This means that blocking the process of estrogen has a negative effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to increase LH secretion. When the hormone LH is not produced, there is no factor that stimulates ovulation, leading to amenorrhea, amenorrhea and difficulty conceiving, infertility and infertility.
Clinically, people rely on blood prolactin test results to support diagnosis and treatment. The blood prolactin index can help evaluate:
Assess pituitary gland function or pituitary diseases. Diagnosing the cause of problems of the genitourinary system in both men such as infertility, amenorrhea, menstrual disorders, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction,... Helps diagnose and support the treatment of masses Tumors such as breast, pituitary or prolactin-producing tumors... Prolactin is an important hormone involved in women's milk production and also affects other cell functions. cell. Prolactin is also valuable in supporting the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the reproductive function of both sexes.
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SEE ALSO :
The relationship between the hormone Prolactin and breast milk secretion How is breast milk "produced"? Did you know: Breast milk also has many types according to each stage