Prolactin as a neuroendocrine clue in sexual function of women across the reproductive life cycle: an expert point of view

Abstract

Prolactin is a proteic hormone best known for its role in enabling the production of milk by female mammals. Secreted by the pituitary gland in response to the stimuli of eating, estrogen treatment, mating, ovulation and nursing, prolactin is involved in over 300 separate processes in a range of vertebrates, including humans. The hormone is released in a pulsatile manner and plays an essential role in metabolism, as well as in the regulation of the immune system and pancreatic development. Nevertheless, prolactin exerts other relevant roles, as it acts at the central nervous system level to modulate behavior, arousal and sexuality. In this experts’ opinion, we aim to give insights into the main activities of prolactin to advance the ability of medical doctors and specialists in obstetrics and gynecology to provide more emphasis in their clinical practices to the link between prolactin and sexuality.

摘要

催乳素是一种蛋白质激素, 最有名的作用是使雌性哺乳动物分泌乳汁。在包括人类在内的脊椎动物中, 催乳素是由脑下垂体对进食、雌激素治疗、交配、排卵和哺乳等刺激做出反应而分泌的, 涉及超过300个独立的过程。这种激素以脉冲方式释放, 在新陈代谢、调节免疫系统和胰腺发育中发挥重要作用。然而, 催乳素还发挥着其他相关的作用, 因为它在中枢神经系统水平上调节行为、唤起和性行为。根据专家的意见, 我们的目的是深入了解催乳素的主要活动, 以提高妇产科医生和专家的能力, 在他们的临床实践中更加强调催乳素和性之间的联系。

Keywords:

• Prolactin
• dopamine
• cabergoline
• sexuality
• hyperprolactinemia
• thyroid diseases

Acknowledgements

We thank Ray Hill, an independent medical writer, who provided English-language editing and journal styling prior to submission on behalf of Health Publishing & Services Srl.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.