title: [Is the assessment of biological activity of prolactin essential in the diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia?].
abstract: Hyperprolactinemia is one of the most essential reproductive disorders in women and men. The incidence of hyperprolactinemia in women with impaired reproductive function is about 17%. Etiopathogenesis of menstrual disorders in hyperprolactinemia is related to inhibitory influence of prolactin excess on GnRH pulsatile secretion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the biological activity of prolactin in hyperprolactinemic patients with regular menstrual cycles and menstrual cycle disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group was composed of 41 women aged between 20-36 years who were hospitalized at the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Poznah diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia. 23 patients with hyperprolactinemia had regular menstrual cycles. However 18 patients with hyperprolactinemia had menstrual cycle disorders such as: oligomenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea. Control group consisted of 20 healthy women with regular menstrual cycle and normal serum prolactin level. All patients were studied subjective, objective and additional hormonal tests (FSH, LH, PRL, PRL-PEG, E2) in the first menstrual phase, fasting, after a night of rest were perfomed. Prolactin biological activity was estimated by using polyethylene glycol (PEG) method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with hyperprolactinemia and regular menstrual cycle presented low biological activity of prolactin and normal serum FSH, LH and estradiol levels. Patients with hyperprolactinemia and menstrual cycle disorders presented high biological activity of prolactin. Simultaneously low serum levels of FSH, LH and estradiol were found in this group of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The assessment of biological activity of prolactin has an essential aspect in the proper diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia.
authors.affiliation: Uniwersytet Medyczny w Poznaniu, Katedra i Klinika Endokrynologii Ginekologicznej.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostrzak
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Warenik-Szymankiewicz
authors.forename: Błazej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meczekalski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin