From the Guidelines
Prolactin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including lactation, reproductive health, immune system function, metabolism, and osmoregulation, with its primary function being to stimulate milk production in women after childbirth. The hormone prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and has multiple functions throughout the body, as seen in studies on its effects on the body 1. Some of the key functions of prolactin include:
- Stimulating milk production in women after childbirth, which is its primary function
- Regulating fertility and sexual behavior, particularly by inhibiting reproductive function during breastfeeding
- Influencing immune system function by regulating immune cell activity and inflammatory responses
- Affecting metabolism by influencing insulin sensitivity and fat storage
- Playing a role in osmoregulation by helping maintain water and electrolyte balance
- Contributing to parental behaviors that support offspring care, as noted in the context of its role in lactation and reproductive health 1. Abnormal prolactin levels can cause health issues, such as hyperprolactinemia, which may lead to infertility, menstrual irregularities, and decreased libido, while insufficient prolactin can impair milk production in nursing mothers, highlighting the importance of maintaining normal prolactin levels for overall health and well-being 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The secretion of prolactin by the anterior pituitary is mainly under hypothalamic inhibitory control, likely exerted through release of dopamine by tuberoinfundibular neurons. The function of prolactin is not directly stated in the provided text, however, it can be inferred that prolactin is a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary.
- The regulation of prolactin secretion is mainly under hypothalamic inhibitory control.
- Dopamine plays a role in this regulation, likely through release by tuberoinfundibular neurons. 2
From the Research
Function of Prolactin
- Prolactin is a protein hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that promotes lactation in response to the suckling stimulus of hungry young mammals 3
- It is not only synthesized in the pituitary gland, but also within the central nervous system, the immune system, the uterus and its associated tissues of conception, and even the mammary gland itself 3
- Prolactin's biological actions are not limited solely to reproduction, as it has been shown to control a variety of behaviors and play a role in homeostasis 3
Regulation of Prolactin Secretion
- Prolactin-releasing stimuli include the nursing stimulus, light, audition, olfaction, and stress 3
- Dopamine of hypothalamic origin provides inhibitory control over the secretion of prolactin, while other factors within the brain, pituitary gland, and peripheral organs can inhibit or stimulate prolactin secretion 3
Treatment of Hyperprolactinemia
- Cabergoline and bromocriptine are commonly used drugs in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, able to normalize prolactin levels, restore gonadal function, and promote tumor reduction in the majority of patients 4, 5
- Cabergoline has been shown to be superior to bromocriptine in terms of efficacy and tolerability, with a greater reduction in prolactin levels and fewer adverse events 4, 6, 5
- Aripiprazole, bromocriptine, and cabergoline have different advantages in improving serum prolactin and estrogen levels in hyperprolactinemia patients 7