“Milk hormone” is needed not only for women: the functions of the hormone prolactin

The hormone prolactin is a peptide hormone encoded by the PRL gene.

The main function of the hormone – milk secretion in a woman after giving birth. However, the functions of the hormone prolactin do not end there.

In addition to milk production, prolactin is able to combat stress, have a beneficial effect on the functioning of brain cells and even increase the activity of the immune system.

Read more in our article on estet-portal.com, how the hormone prolactin functions in the body of men and women, as well as the consequences of a high concentration of the hormone in the blood.

• Which cells synthesize the hormone prolactin
• What are the functions of the hormone prolactin in women
• Main functions of the hormone prolactin in men and women
• Why men need Prolactin

Which cells synthesize the hormone prolactin

The functions of prolactin include more than 300 actions in the body.

The hormone is synthesized in special cells of the pituitary called lactotrophic.

In addition to these cells, prolactin is produced in some other cells of the body, although in smaller quantities.

Such cells include:

• adipose tissue;
• cells of the immune system;
• skin cells;
• womb;
• monocytes and lymphocytes that secrete prolactin as an immune response stimulator or cytokine.

All pituitary hormones are controlled by hypothalamus, prolactin is no exception.

The hypothalamus secretes a hormone that can stimulate or suppress the production of the hormone prolactin.

This hormone is called prolactin-releasing peptide.

It stimulates the pituitary gland, as a result of which lactotrophic cells produce prolactin.

Also, the prolactin-releasing peptide, with its activity, is able to reduce appetite.

Today, scientists are exploring this hormone as a real and possibleth treatment of obesity.

Effective diet in the management of patients with metabolic syndrome

What are the functions of the hormone prolactin in women

Let's consider the main functions of the hormone prolactin for the female body:

1. The hormone prolactin is directly involved in the production of breast milk after the birth of a child. Together with insulin and oxytocin, prolactin increases the secretion of important milk constituents.

It is known that the highest concentration of prolactin is produced during the night hours of feeding a child, from 3 to 8 o'clock in the morning. After stopping breastfeeding for 2 weeks, the level of the hormone prolactin in a woman returns to its previous norm.

2. Also, prolactin, together with estrogen, progesterone, growth hormones and thyroid hormones, takes part in the development of breast tissue, and this lasts until the moment of pregnancy, when the breasts become fully mature.

3.

Prolactin helps maintain pregnancy by stimulating the corpus luteum and releasing progesterone. Prolactin is also called luteotropic hormone.

4.

Prolactin stimulates the formation of the placenta, allowing the embryo to attach itself to the lining of the uterus.

5.

It has been noted that the placenta also synthesizes compounds that are similar to the hormone prolactin and are called placental lactogens.

6.

After the birth of a baby, prolactin affects the mother's brain, instigating appropriate behavior to care for her baby. Increases the sense of smell and hearing, which is necessary for recognizing the baby, and also helps to hear his every cry at night. High levels of prolactin can even cause hostility in the mother, which is an adaptive protective mechanism

m.

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Facebook! The main functions of the hormone prolactin in men and women

The hormone prolactin circulates in the blood of not only women, but also men, performing its necessary functions.

Among these functions, there are several that men and women have in common.

Protection against stress.
In stressful situations, brain cells produce the hormone prolactin to

balance the effects of cortisol –

stress hormone. Prolactin stops the secretion of ACTH, which stimulates the synthesis of cortisol.

Therefore, the low level of this hormone in a woman after childbirth causes anxiety and anxiety. Contact with a child increases prolactin levels, which brings peace and relaxation.

Studies have shown the calming effect of the hormone prolactin in both sexes, regardless of pregnancy.

Thus,

prolactin protects brain cells from the damaging effects of stress hormones.

Immune system
• .
In the immune system, the hormone prolactin is able to act as a signaling molecule or cytokine.

This allows the cells of the immune system to divide and mature, producing other cytokines such as IL-18, IL-12, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha.

These cells enhance the defense against microbial infections.

Studies have shown that prolactin has an

anti-cancer immune response

.   But with an excessive increase in the hormone prolactin, the immune system can give a so-called failure in the form of

the development of autoimmune diseases.

Digestive system
• .
Prolactin is able to increase appetite and increase the amount of food eaten, provoking

the development of leptin resistance

. Also, the hormone

increases insulin secretion and glucose sensitivity in the pancreas

. This fact prevents the development of diabetes in lactating mothers, but can cause obesity in both sexes.

At the end of pregnancy, prolactin can provoke the development of transient insulin resistance in order to save glucose for the fetus that needs it.

Maintenance of electrolyte balance
• .
The hormone prolactin takes part in

transportation of fluid,

sodium and potassium ions through the intestinal membrane, as well as in the process of filtering them by the kidneys.

Protection of cells of the nervous system
• .
One study of 106 women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis found that

the hormone prolactin promoted myelin repair

. Another study in mice found that the hormone plays an important role in the

hippocampus,

where memory and emotions are formed. In the absence of prolactin, the hipcampus is 80% less developed, resulting in

impaired memory

and learningin.

The hormone serotonin: functions, signs of deficiency and role in the aging process of cells Why do men need the hormone prolactin

For men, prolactin is not the main hormone for producing offspring, but its normal values ​​

contribute to the production of sperm and

testosterone. A study was conducted on 20 men diagnosed with infertility who had a prolactin level below normal.

After receiving prolactin, these men's sperm improved by 42%. Doctors attributed low levels of the hormone prolactin as the reason for the infertility of the participants in this experiment.

Other men with low prolactin have experienced:

erectile dysfunction;

• metabolic syndrome;
• episodes of premature ejaculation.
But high levels of the hormone prolactin also negatively affect

the reproductive health of men and women

, as it blocks the hormones necessary for reproductive functions.

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

 

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