title: The effect of routine breast examination on serum prolactin levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a routine breast examination on serum PRL levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based reproductive endocrinology unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven nonlactating, euprolactinemic women of reproductive age with a history of regular menstrual cycles and currently taking no medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breast examination using standard technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in serum PRL levels after breast examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline PRL levels ranged from 3.64 to 19.23 ng/mL (mean 7.17 ng/mL; conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00). There were no significant increases in PRL levels after breast examination, with mean PRL levels after 15, 30, and 45 minutes of 6.59, 6.84, and 6.45 ng/mL, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine breast examination does not alter acutely serum PRL levels in normal women.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Steinkampf
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Boots
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Blackwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010173:Palpation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin