Prolactin in Pregnancy

; under the stimulation of prolactin and other pregnancy hormones, the breast reaches its maximum functional activity with delivery. As the name suggests, in fact, prolactin is one of the hormones responsible for milk production (lactation).

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In general, prolactin is involved in processes ranging from lactation to the control of the hydro-saline balance, up to sexual behavior and immunoregulation. A small amount of prolactin is also found in humans.

The main target organ of prolactin is the breast. In puberty, this hormone participates together with estrogen in the development of the breast. In pregnancy, it prepares the mammary gland for lactation and maintains it after childbirth to allow.

It should be noted that too high concentrations of prolactin - due for example to a "hyperfunction of the pituitary gland, a" prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma) and other endocrine disorders - can cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea), galathorrhea, anovulation and infertility.