Prolactin has been measured in unextracted human plasma by a sensitive and specific in vitro bioassay. Secretory activity of breast tissue fragments from mid-pregnant mice, incubated in organ culture with human plasma, serves as the histologic end point. Sensitivity is 5 ng/ml (0.14 mU/ml) or somewhat better for ovine prolactin, and approximately 0.42 mU/ml for prolactin activity of human plasm...

Although humans are considered unusual among mammals for the intensity of care that fathers often provide offspring, little is known about the hormonal architecture regulating human paternal investment. Prolactin has important reproductive functions in both female and male mammals and other taxa, making it a candidate regulator of human paternal behavior. Notably, prolactin is higher during per...

We have investigated the topology of the alpha and delta subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from mammalian muscle synthesized in an in vitro translation system supplemented with dog pancreatic microsomes. Fusion proteins were expressed in which a carboxy-terminal fragment of bovine prolactin was attached downstream of each of the major putative transmembrane domains, M1-M4 ...

Prolactin secretion is stimulated markedly in fish exposed to water of pH 4. This phenomenon was used to study the control of prolactin secretion. Activation occurs irrespective of changes in plasma osmolarity or plasma sodium and calcium concentrations. After acute acidification of the water, which leads to a substantial fall in plasma osmolarity and plasma electrolyte levels, the activation o...

A rabbit antiserum to ovine prolactin was used with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method to search for immunoreactive prolactin in normal and pathological human breast and prostate. We first substantiated that the heterologous antiserum could recognize human prolactin. When sections of human anterior pituitary were exposed to the anti-prolactin serum, groups of angular-shaped cells were selecti...

Some, but not all, antipsychotics elevate serum prolactin. Antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia is thought to account for high rates of menstrual dysfunction and diminished estrogen levels in women with schizophrenia. However, few studies have directly assessed the relationships between prolactin, menstrual function, and ovarian hormone levels in this population. Sixteen premenopausal women...

Endogenous plasma prolactin and baseline corticosterone concentrations were measured in Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis, n=27) photostimulated into migratory condition to look at how these hormones may be linked to the development of migratory condition. In addition to the commonly used assay for corticosterone, a recombinant-derived European starling prolactin assay validated for Dark-eyed ju...

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that decreasing plasma prolactin stimulates or permits the initiation of avian molt. Changes in the concentration of plasma prolactin in Mute swans (Cygnus olor) were compared in non-breeding singletons and breeding pairs. In breeding swans, the onset of molt is delayed compared to non-breeders, and is delayed further in breeding males compared to...

Hyperprolactinemia is a frequent consequence of treatment with antipsychotics. Earlier studies have indicated that terguride, which is a partial dopamine agonist, reduces the prolactin levels that are induced by prolactinemia. Thus, we examined the dose effects of adjunctive treatment with terguride on the plasma concentrations of prolactin in patients with elevated prolactin levels resulting f...

Prolactin is associated with both maternal and paternal care and appears important in developing a bond between parent and infant. In contrast with oxytocin, another hormone important in infant care, there is scant information on the role of prolactin in maintaining adult heterosexual relationships. We present here the first results demonstrating a relationship between prolactin levels and sexu...