PROLACTIN (PRL)
.
Prolactin (PRL) also known as luteotropic hormone (LTH) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PRL gene.
Prolactin is under the control of two factors released by the hypothalamus. These are the prolactin releasing hormone (PRH) and prolactin inhibiting hormone (PIH). Both these hormones are catecholamines . In the males PIH predominates and keeps blood prolactin levels at all times low. IN menstruating females the prolactin levels wax and wane with the gonadal hormones. In pregnancy the levels of prolactin rise steadily from the fifth week and reach 10-20 times its normal level towards the end. Prolactin secretion is also supported by the hormone human choronic gonadotropin (HCG) which is also lactogenic.
It initiates the secretion of milk by the mamary glands after child birth.
It is secreted by the lactotropes which increase in size and number durng pregnancy. normally pregnancy is prevented during lactation period. [5]
Hormones that Affect Prolactin
Like many of your body's other processes, the release of prolactin is actually triggered by other hormones. Hormones affecting prolactin include:
Hyposecretion-
This condition does not have any adverse effects in males and in the non-pregnant females .The pregnant females might experience poor or no lactation.This can be treated with external administration of the hormone, during and after the gestational period.
Hypersecretion-
This generally occurs due to damage to the hypothalamus. This leads to inappropriate lactation, irregular mensus and infertility in the females and impotence in the males. External administeration of prolacin inhibiting hormone(PIH) can help.
TEST RESULSTS-
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
The normal values for prolactin are as follows:
Prolactin is under the control of two factors released by the hypothalamus. These are the prolactin releasing hormone (PRH) and prolactin inhibiting hormone (PIH). Both these hormones are catecholamines . In the males PIH predominates and keeps blood prolactin levels at all times low. IN menstruating females the prolactin levels wax and wane with the gonadal hormones. In pregnancy the levels of prolactin rise steadily from the fifth week and reach 10-20 times its normal level towards the end. Prolactin secretion is also supported by the hormone human choronic gonadotropin (HCG) which is also lactogenic.
It initiates the secretion of milk by the mamary glands after child birth.
It is secreted by the lactotropes which increase in size and number durng pregnancy. normally pregnancy is prevented during lactation period. [5]
Hormones that Affect Prolactin
Like many of your body's other processes, the release of prolactin is actually triggered by other hormones. Hormones affecting prolactin include:
- dopamine
serotonin
thyroid-producing hormone.
Serotonin and thyroid hormone help to increase prolactin release, whereas dopamine works to block prolactin release.[6]
Hyposecretion-
This condition does not have any adverse effects in males and in the non-pregnant females .The pregnant females might experience poor or no lactation.This can be treated with external administration of the hormone, during and after the gestational period.
Hypersecretion-
This generally occurs due to damage to the hypothalamus. This leads to inappropriate lactation, irregular mensus and infertility in the females and impotence in the males. External administeration of prolacin inhibiting hormone(PIH) can help.
TEST RESULSTS-
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
The normal values for prolactin are as follows:
- Males: 2 - 18 ng/mL
- Nonpregnant females: 2 - 29 ng/mL
- Pregnant women: 10 - 209 ng/mL
- Note: ng/mL = nanograms per milliliter [7]