Kits
Prolactin ELISA
Kits
Description
Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone synthesized and
secreted by the Adenohypophysis (anterior Pituitary
gland) and the placenta. It is also produced in other
tissues including the breast and the decidua. Pituitary
prolactin secretion is regulated by neuroendocrine
neurons in the hypothalamus, most importantly by
neurosecretory dopamine neurons of the arcuate
nucleus, which inhibit prolactin secretion.
Prolactin is present in several body fluids, including
blood plasma, amniotic fluid, milk, mucosal secretions
and cerebrospinal fluid.
Prolactin has many effects, the most important of
which is to stimulate the mammary glands to produce
milk (lactation). Other possible functions of prolactin
include the surfactant synthesis of the fetal lungs at
the end of the pregnancy and immune tolerance of
the foetus by the maternal organism during
pregnancy. Prolactin may also have inhibitory effects on gonadal
function when present in high concentrations.
There is a diurnal cycle in prolactin secretion.
During pregnancy, high circulating concentrations of
estrogen promote prolactin production. The resulting
high levels of prolactin secretion cause maturation of
the mammary glands, preparing them for lactation.
After childbirth, prolactin levels fall as the internal
stimulus for them is removed.
High prolactin levels also tend to suppress the
ovulatory cycle by inhibiting the secretion of both FSH
and GnRH. Prolactin levels may be checked as part of a sex
hormone workup, as elevated prolactin secretion can
suppress the secretion of FSH and GnRH, leading to
hypogonadism, and sometimes causing erectile
dysfunction in men.
Elevations in plasma prolactin concentrations occur
during ovulation, pregnancy, nursing and stress.
Abnormal elevations in plasma prolactin levels
(hyperprolactinemia) can occur as a result of pituitary
adenomas, other anatomic and traumatic
abnormalities, in response to certain pharmacologic
agents and in hypothyroidism.
Hypoprolactinemia (low prolactin levels) are observed
in cases of hypopituitarism.
secreted by the Adenohypophysis (anterior Pituitary
gland) and the placenta. It is also produced in other
tissues including the breast and the decidua. Pituitary
prolactin secretion is regulated by neuroendocrine
neurons in the hypothalamus, most importantly by
neurosecretory dopamine neurons of the arcuate
nucleus, which inhibit prolactin secretion.
Prolactin is present in several body fluids, including
blood plasma, amniotic fluid, milk, mucosal secretions
and cerebrospinal fluid.
Prolactin has many effects, the most important of
which is to stimulate the mammary glands to produce
milk (lactation). Other possible functions of prolactin
include the surfactant synthesis of the fetal lungs at
the end of the pregnancy and immune tolerance of
the foetus by the maternal organism during
pregnancy. Prolactin may also have inhibitory effects on gonadal
function when present in high concentrations.
There is a diurnal cycle in prolactin secretion.
During pregnancy, high circulating concentrations of
estrogen promote prolactin production. The resulting
high levels of prolactin secretion cause maturation of
the mammary glands, preparing them for lactation.
After childbirth, prolactin levels fall as the internal
stimulus for them is removed.
High prolactin levels also tend to suppress the
ovulatory cycle by inhibiting the secretion of both FSH
and GnRH. Prolactin levels may be checked as part of a sex
hormone workup, as elevated prolactin secretion can
suppress the secretion of FSH and GnRH, leading to
hypogonadism, and sometimes causing erectile
dysfunction in men.
Elevations in plasma prolactin concentrations occur
during ovulation, pregnancy, nursing and stress.
Abnormal elevations in plasma prolactin levels
(hyperprolactinemia) can occur as a result of pituitary
adenomas, other anatomic and traumatic
abnormalities, in response to certain pharmacologic
agents and in hypothyroidism.
Hypoprolactinemia (low prolactin levels) are observed
in cases of hypopituitarism.