From the Guidelines
Yes, prolactin is produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. The anterior pituitary, also called the adenohypophysis, contains specialized cells called lactotrophs that are responsible for synthesizing and releasing prolactin into the bloodstream. Prolactin is a peptide hormone that plays a crucial role in milk production in women after childbirth, but it also has numerous other functions in both men and women.
Key Points
- The secretion of prolactin is primarily regulated by inhibitory control from the hypothalamus through dopamine (also called prolactin-inhibiting factor), which suppresses its release 1.
- When dopamine levels decrease, prolactin secretion increases.
- Certain conditions can lead to elevated prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia), including pregnancy, breastfeeding, stress, certain medications (particularly antipsychotics and some antidepressants), pituitary tumors (prolactinomas), and hypothyroidism 2, 3, 4.
- Understanding prolactin's origin in the anterior pituitary is important for diagnosing and treating disorders related to abnormal prolactin levels.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- A single prolactin measurement taken at any time of the day is sufficient to assess hyperprolactinaemia 5.
- The diagnosis of hyperprolactinaemia in CYP requires age-specific and sex-specific prolactin reference ranges and the exclusion of confounding conditions such as hypothyroidism, renal and/or hepatic impairment, and use of medications that cause hyperprolactinaemia 5.
- Dopamine agonists, such as cabergoline, are effective in reducing prolactin levels and tumor size in patients with prolactinomas 2, 3.
Conclusion is not allowed, so the answer is ended here.
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 dopaminergic neurons in the tuberoinfundibular process modulate the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary by secreting a prolactin inhibitory factor (thought to be dopamine);
The answer is yes, prolactin comes from the anterior pituitary [6] [7].
- Key points: + Prolactin is secreted by the anterior pituitary. + The secretion of prolactin is under hypothalamic inhibitory control. + Dopamine plays a role in inhibiting the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary.
From the Research
Prolactin Origin
- Prolactin is a hormone mainly secreted by the anterior pituitary gland 8, 9, 10.
- In addition to the anterior pituitary gland, prolactin can also be produced by many extrapituitary cells, including those in the central nervous system, immune system, uterus, and mammary gland 8, 9, 10.
Prolactin Function and Regulation
- Prolactin plays a crucial role in lactation during pregnancy, as well as in other biological functions such as angiogenesis, immunoregulation, and osmoregulation 9, 10.
- The secretion of prolactin is mainly regulated by the inhibitory influence of dopamine, but other hormones and factors can also stimulate or inhibit its secretion 8, 9, 10.
Hyperprolactinemia
- Hyperprolactinemia is a condition characterized by elevated levels of prolactin in the blood, which can cause reproductive dysfunction, hypogonadism, infertility, and galactorrhea 9, 10, 11.
- The treatment of hyperprolactinemia often involves the use of dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine and cabergoline, which can help to reduce prolactin levels and alleviate symptoms 11, 12.