[Human prolactin (author's transl)].

Human prolactin (hPRL) is the most recent anterior pituitary hormone in human endocrinology, whose structure has been elucidated in 1977. The possibility to measure hPRL in serum has led to a rapid increase of our knowledge of prolactin-physiology and -pathophysiology in men. hPRL is the only anterior pituitary hormone which is under predominantly inhibitory hypothalamic control. The effects of prolactin in the various species differ considerably, whereas in men it acts mainly upon the mammary gland and the gonadal system. Hyperprolactinemia leads typically to hypogonadism, amenorrhea and frequently galactorrhea. The hyperprolactinemia-hypogonadism-syndrome has been identified as a separate entity in recent years. Because of the relative frequency of this disease prolactin measurements have become of great importance in the diagnosis of sterility. Depending on the cause of hyperprolactinemia a neurosurgical, radiotherapeutical or medical treatment is indicated.