Hormone
prolactin Audio
pro·lac·tin [ proh-lak-tin ]
More Information:
ChemID; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to prolactin:
  • A lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). It is a polypeptide of approximately 23 kD. Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation. Prolactin receptors are present in the mammary gland, hypothalamus, liver, ovary, testis, and prostate.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Glycoprotein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary; in mammals it stimulates the production of milk and assists in maintaining the corpus luteum.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • The reference range for prolactin in females is as follows: Nongravid/nonlactating: 2-29 ng/mL Gravid: 10-209 ng/mL (third trimester) The reference range for prolactin in males is 2-18 ng/mL. .
    Medscape
    WebMD, 2025
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