title: Daily plasma prolactin in various gynecologic endocrinopathies.
abstract: Daily plasma prolactin levels were measured in women with various gynecologic endocrinopathies in order to compare mean levels and variations over the sampling interval with prolactin levels in women with normal ovulatory cycles. The normal-cycle mean prolactin level was 14.7 ng/ml +/- 1.4 (SE). Levels greater than 42 ng/ml, 2 SD above the mean, were considered abnormal. Patients with endocrinopathies were classified as "normoprolactinemic" if the mean prolactin level was less than 42 ng/ml and less than 12% of the daily values peaked to greater than 42 ng/ml. An "intermediate" group was defined in which the mean prolactin level was less than 42 ng/ml but more than 12% of daily values peaked to greater than 42 ng/ml. Those patients whose mean prolactin levels were greater than 42 ng/ml were considered "hyperprolactinemic". Significant differences were noted when mean prolactin levels were compared with normal-cycle levels in 16 or 18 women with various gynecologic endocrinopathies. The need for repeated prolactin sampling in certain clinical situations, as well as the possibility that a "critical" prolactin level is necessary for normal ovarian function, is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000858:Anovulation / Q000097:blood; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin