Prolactin: Difference between revisions
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'''Prolactin''' is a [[peptide hormone]] with an essential role in [[lactation]]. During breastfeeding, the act of an [[infant]] suckling the [[nipple]] stimulates the production of prolactin, which in turn stimulates the production of [[milk]] in a process called [[lactogenesis]]. Another hormone, [[oxytocin]], is secreted in response to suckling to trigger milk let-down. In some animals, prolactin also influences seasonal changes in [[pelage]], and is released in response to [[stress]], and acts as a gonadotrophic hormone, in which capacity it has an important role in the maintenance of [[pregnancy]] in some mammals. | '''Prolactin''' is a [[peptide hormone]] with an essential role in [[lactation]]. During breastfeeding, the act of an [[infant]] suckling the [[nipple]] stimulates the production of prolactin, which in turn stimulates the production of [[milk]] in a process called [[lactogenesis]]. Another hormone, [[oxytocin]], is secreted in response to suckling to trigger milk let-down. In some animals, prolactin also influences seasonal changes in [[pelage]], and is released in response to [[stress]], and acts as a gonadotrophic hormone, in which capacity it has an important role in the maintenance of [[pregnancy]] in some mammals. | ||
Prolactin is synthesised by [[lactotrope]] cells in the | Prolactin is synthesised by [[lactotrope]] cells in the adenohypophysis ([[anterior pituitary]] gland). It is also produced, to a much lesser extent, in the [[breast]], the [[decidua]], parts of the [[central nervous system]] and the [[immune system]]. <ref name=Mancini2008>{{citation | author = Mancini, T. | ||
| year = 2008 | title = Hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas | journal = Endocrinology & Metabolism Clinics of North America | volume = 37 | pages = 67 | doi = 10.1016/j.ecl.2007.10.013 | | year = 2008 | title = Hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas | journal = Endocrinology & Metabolism Clinics of North America | volume = 37 | pages = 67 | doi = 10.1016/j.ecl.2007.10.013 | ||
| pmid = 18226731 }}</ref> The gene encoding prolactin in humans is located on [[chromosome 6]]. Like other hormones of the anterior pituitary, prolactin is secreted by a process of calcium-dependent exocytosis of the large dense-core vesicles that contain prolactin. | | pmid = 18226731 }}</ref> The gene encoding prolactin in humans is located on [[chromosome 6]]. Like other hormones of the anterior pituitary, prolactin is secreted by a process of calcium-dependent exocytosis of the large dense-core vesicles that contain prolactin. | ||
Revision as of 08:49, 25 February 2009
Prolactin is a peptide hormone with an essential role in lactation. During breastfeeding, the act of an infant suckling the nipple stimulates the production of prolactin, which in turn stimulates the production of milk in a process called lactogenesis. Another hormone, oxytocin, is secreted in response to suckling to trigger milk let-down. In some animals, prolactin also influences seasonal changes in pelage, and is released in response to stress, and acts as a gonadotrophic hormone, in which capacity it has an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy in some mammals.
Prolactin is synthesised by lactotrope cells in the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary gland). It is also produced, to a much lesser extent, in the breast, the decidua, parts of the central nervous system and the immune system. [1] The gene encoding prolactin in humans is located on chromosome 6. Like other hormones of the anterior pituitary, prolactin is secreted by a process of calcium-dependent exocytosis of the large dense-core vesicles that contain prolactin.
Pituitary prolactin secretion is regulated by neuroendocrine neurons in the hypothalamus, the most important ones being the neurosecretory tuberoinfundibulum neurons of the arcuate nucleus, which secrete dopamine to act on the dopamine-2 receptors (D2-R) of the lactotrophs, to inhibit prolactin secretion. Thyrotropin-releasing factor and oxytocin have a stimulatory effect on prolactin secretion. Prolactin itself acts in a negative-feedback manner on the brain.
References
- ↑ Mancini, T. (2008), "Hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas", Endocrinology & Metabolism Clinics of North America 37: 67, DOI:10.1016/j.ecl.2007.10.013