Prolactin production by luteal phase defect endometrium.

The production of prolactin (PRL) by explants of late secretory endometrium obtained during normal cycles (n = 61) and that by similar explants obtained during luteal phase deficient (n = 17) cycles was compared. The amount of prolactin produced in vitro correlated with the degree of histologic decidualization in both normal and luteal phase defect endometria. However, samples of luteal phase defect endometrium produced significantly less prolactin (p less than 0.01) than did control tissues of the same ideal menstrual dates. These data indicate that the amount of prolactin produced by late secretory endometrium in explant culture can be used as an additional criterion for the diagnosis of luteal phase defects and may also provide a method for evaluating the response of the endometrium to progesterone.