The hormone which is chiefly related to lactation is the Prolactin. This peptide hormone is secreted by lactotrophs at the frontal part of the pituitary and is also largely synthesized by diverse range of other cells of the body, brain, breast and the decidua of the pregnant uterus. The course of breastfeeding enhances the production of Prolactin in the body. The act of nipple sucking fills the breast with milk by the process of lactogenesis. This prepares the mother for preparing the next feed. Very similar to the Prolactin hormone, Oxytocin is also released out, which in process generate milk let-down.
The production of Prolactin is harmonized by the neuroendocrine neurons present in the hypothalamus. Prolactin is regulated by the neurosecretory dopamine neurons of the arcuate nucleus, which slow down the process of prolactin secretion. The peptides which are responsible for the regulation of the Prolactin secretion in the human beings are the
vasoactive intestinal peptide and peptide histidine isoleucine.
Stimulating the mammary glands to cause lactation is one of the major effects of Prolactin. During the period of pregnancy, there is an increased serum concentration of Prolactin. This leads to the mammary gland enlargement and increases the milk production in the breast. However, it is only because of the fall of this hormone that milk ejection is possible after child birth.
Another major effect of the Prolactin is to provide sexual gratification to the body after sexual acts. This hormone suppresses the consequences of the dopamine, which is accountable for the sexual arousal. Prolactin is said to be responsible for the sexual refractory period. The amount of sexual satisfaction and relaxation is indicated by the total amount of Prolactin.
To arouse propagation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells is another major consequence of the Prolactin hormone. This hormone also lowers the regular levels of the sex hormones.
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The Prolactin production is enhanced during pregnancy because of the high circulating concentrations of estrogen. The high levels of the discharge of the Prolactin lead to the maturation of the mammary glands, and thereby preparing them for the lactation. The Prolactin level falls after child birth because of the removal of the internal stimulus. Further, the nipple sucking by the infant promotes the release of the Prolactin. The milk production in the breast is controlled by this hormone.
The structure of Prolactin is quite interesting. It is a single-chain polypeptide of 199 amino acids. There are varied uses of Prolactin. You can distinguish the epileptic seizures from the psychogenic non-epileptic seizures by Prolactin levels. During the epileptic seizure, the level of the Prolactin rises.
Hyperprolactinemia, which is the extreme secretion of prolactin, is a common medical disorder in the human beings. This disorder in women can be diagnosed by the various symptoms like amenorrhea and galactorrhea. However, if the men have this disorder then it shows the symptoms of hypogonadism, impotence and decreased sperm production.
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