title: Circadian rhythmicity of prolactin secretion in elderly subjects: changes during bromocriptine treatment.
abstract: Prolactin has been taken as an index of neuroendocrine function in aging, where dopaminergic neurotransmission in considered to be impared. The mean concentration of the hormone in the 24 h is higher in the aged men than in the adult controls. A sleep entrained periodicity is present in both aged subjects and controls, but a harmonic analysis of rhythmicity shows that secretory episodes have in aged men a slower periodicity than in adults. In aged men bromocriptine decreases the mean PRL values in the 24 h and the periodicity analysis shows the occurrence of harmonics with shorter period.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin