Institute for Knowledge Management, Skopje Macedonia
Abstract
Prolactin as a hormone secreted by lactotrophs of the adenocyphosis primarily affects lactation in mammals, that is, on the production of milk (lactogenesis), the development and branching of the milk channels (mamogenesis) and the removal of milk through the nipples (galactopoezis). Other significant biological effects of prolactin include maintaining the internal homeostasis of the organism acting as an osmoregulatory hormone, as an luteotrophic hormone and has an immunological role in the body. Excretion of prolactin is regulated by the action of prolactin stimulating and prolactin inhibiting factors of the hypothalamus. By maintaining a balance in the excretion of these factors, the level of concentration of prolactin in the serum is in normal reference values. Disturbance in the excretion of dopamine as the strongest prolactin secretion inhibitor increases the level of prolactin, a condition known as hyperprolactinaemia, in which all hormones important for the normal menstrual cycle are inhibited, leading to reduced production of ovarian follicles and ovarian steroids, anovulation and sterility in women
