This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by GENAZZANI, A. R. Articles by MULLER, E. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by GENAZZANI, A. R. Articles by MULLER, E. E.

Different Rebound Rise in Plasma Prolactin during the Postdopamine Infusion Phase in Puerperal Women and Patients with Pathological Hyperprolactinemia

Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Modena, First Medical Clinic University of Milan, Chair of Endocrinology University of Turin, Chair of Obstetric Pathology University of Siena, and Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy, and Toxicology, University of Milan Milan, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Eugenio E. Muller, Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Toxicology, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy.

Dopamine infused at a rate of 4 µg/kg·min for 120 min induced at the end of the infusion period a clear-cut and similar suppression of circulating PRL levels in normal and puerperal women as well as in patients with hyperprolactinemia either due to a tumor or of unknown etiology. At the discontinuation of the infusion there was a marked PRL rebound above baseline levels in normal subjects and a rapid return to basal levels in subjects with pathological hyperprolactinemia. In contrast, there was no increase in plasma PRL in puerperal women, in whom PRL levels remained suppressed during the whole postinfusion period. The reason(s) for this pattern in puerperal women is presently unknown, although previous estrogen loading of the lactotropes during pregnancy may be involved.

Received January 24, 1983.