A normal ovulatory woman with hyperprolactinemia: presence of anti-prolactin autoantibody and the regulation of prolactin secretion.
We present the case of a normal ovulatory woman with marked hyperprolactinemia and no evidence of a pituitary adenoma on CT and MRI. Gel filtration studies showed that most immunoreactive PRL was eluted as 150K-170K macroprolactin. Anti-PRL autoantibody was detected and Scatchard analysis revealed a low-affinity (the association constant: 1.29 x 10(7) l/mol), high-capacity (the maximal binding capacity: 1174 micrograms/l) antibody. Dopamine had little suppressive effect on PRL levels and an antidopaminergic agent elicited an augmented response of PRL secretion. These results suggest that the presence of anti-PRL autoantibody may delay the clearance of PRL and/or may alter the central regulation of PRL secretion.
Hattori
N
N
Department of Endocrinology, Kobe City General Hospital, Japan.
Ikekubo
K
K
Ishihara
T
T
Moridera
K
K
Hino
M
M
Kurahachi
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001971:Bromocriptine; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004298:Dopamine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010060:Ovulation; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013469:Sulpiride; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001971:Bromocriptine; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013469:Sulpiride; D011388:Prolactin; D004298:Dopamine