prolactin

(noun)

a peptide gonadotrophic hormone secreted by the pituitary gland; it stimulates growth of the mammary glands and lactation in females

Related Terms

Examples of prolactin in the following topics:

  • Hormonal Regulation of the Reproductive System

    • In addition to producing FSH and LH, the anterior portion of the pituitary gland also produces the hormone prolactin (PRL) in females.
    • Prolactin stimulates the production of milk by the mammary glands, following childbirth.
    • Prolactin levels are regulated by the hypothalamic hormones, prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH) and prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIH) (which is now known to be dopamine).
    • PRH stimulates the release of prolactin, while PIH inhibits it.

  • Labor and Birth

    • When the baby begins suckling at the breast, signals are sent to the hypothalamus causing the release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary, which signals the mammary glands to produce milk.

  • Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

    • The anterior pituitary produces seven hormones: growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), melanin-stimulating hormone (MSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).