Prolactin variants in serum and amniotic fluid of women with ovulatory hyperprolactinemia

• Published in: Revista de investigacion clinica Vol. 43; no. 3; p. 245
• Main Authors: Larrea, F, Escorza, A, Méndez, I, Ruiz, J E, Valero, A, Cravioto, M C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Mexico 01.07.1991
• Subjects: Adult; Amniotic Fluid - chemistry; Chorion - secretion; Estradiol - blood; Female; Humans; Hyperprolactinemia - metabolism; Hyperprolactinemia - physiopathology; Molecular Weight; Obstetric Labor Complications - blood; Ovary - secretion; Pituitary Neoplasms - complications; Pituitary Neoplasms - metabolism; Postpartum Period - blood; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - metabolism; Pregnancy Complications - physiopathology; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic - metabolism; Progesterone - blood; Prolactin - analysis; Prolactin - chemistry; Prolactin - secretion; Prolactinoma - complications; Prolactinoma - metabolism
• ISSN: 0034-8376

There is enough evidence that prolactin (PRL), like many other pituitary hormones, is composed by multiple forms that differ from each other by size charge. Although they can be seen in the pituitary glands of a variety of species, their biological significance, identity and chemical nature still remain poorly understood. Recently, a new syndrome characterized by normal ovarian function in the presence of sustained hyperprolactinemia has been reported by our group. In these women, highly abnormal percentages of serum big big PRL have been consistently demonstrated. This observation suggests that big big PRL is immunologically similar, but biologically less active than monomeric or little PRL. In this study we have determined then molecular size heterogeneity of immunoreactive PRL in serum and amniotic fluid from two ovulatory hyperprolactinemic subjects (subjects A and B) who had, under non-pregnant conditions, large amounts of serum big big PRL, throughout different stages of parturition. Control subjects consisted of two women at the end of pregnancy in whom PRL species demonstrated a normal size distribution (subjects C and D). Mean basal levels of PRL were the highest in subjects A and B and remained constant during labor. In the control subjects a remarkable decline in PRL levels was observed during the periparturitional period. This pattern of PRL release was not correlated with changes in steroid hormone concentrations. The relative proportions of PRL size variants throughout delivery showed no apparent changes in all four subjects.