Hypoprolactinemia is a

medical condition A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not immediately due to any external injury. Diseases are often known to be medical conditions that a ...

characterized by a deficiency in the serum levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary hormone

prolactin Prolactin (PRL), also known as lactotropin, is a protein best known for its role in enabling mammals to produce milk. It is influential in over 300 separate processes in various vertebrates, including humans. Prolactin is secreted from the pit ...

Signs and symptoms

Hypoprolactinemia is associated with ovarian dysfunction in women, and, in men, metabolic syndrome,

anxiety Anxiety is an emotion which is characterized by an unpleasant state of inner turmoil and includes feelings of dread over anticipated events. Anxiety is different than fear in that the former is defined as the anticipation of a future threat wh ...

symptoms, arteriogenic erectile dysfunction,

premature ejaculation Premature ejaculation (PE) occurs when a man expels semen (and most likely experiences orgasm) soon after beginning sexual activity, and with minimal penile stimulation. It has also been called ''early ejaculation'', ''rapid ejaculation'', ''r ...

oligozoospermia Terms oligospermia, oligozoospermia, and low sperm count refer to semen with a low concentration of sperm and is a common finding in male infertility. Often semen with a decreased sperm concentration may also show significant abnormalities in sperm ...

(low concentration of sperm in

semen Semen, also known as seminal fluid, is an organic bodily fluid created to contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize the female ovum. Sem ...

), asthenospermia (reduced sperm

motility Motility is the ability of an organism to move independently, using metabolic energy. Definitions Motility, the ability of an organism to move independently, using metabolic energy, can be contrasted with sessility, the state of organisms th ...

), hypofunction of

seminal vesicles The seminal vesicles (also called vesicular glands, or seminal glands) are a pair of two convoluted tubular glands that lie behind the urinary bladder of some male mammals. They secrete fluid that partly composes the semen. The vesicles are 5� ...

, and

hypoandrogenism Androgen deficiency is a medical condition characterized by insufficient androgenic activity in the body. Androgenic activity is mediated by androgens (a class of steroid hormones with varying affinities for the androgen receptor), and is dependen ...

. In one study, normal sperm characteristics were restored when prolactin levels were brought up to normal values in men with hypoprolactinemia. Hypoprolactinemia can be a cause of

lactation failure In breastfeeding, lactation failure may refer to: * Primary lactation failure, a cause of low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers * Cessation of breastfeeding before the mother had planned to stop, usually as a result of breastfeeding difficultie ...

after childbirth.

Causes

Hypoprolactinemia can result from autoimmune disease,

hypopituitarism Hypopituitarism is the decreased (''hypo'') secretion of one or more of the eight hormones normally produced by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. If there is decreased secretion of one specific pituitary hormone, the condition is know ...

growth hormone deficiency Growth hormone deficiency (GHD), or human growth hormone deficiency, is a medical condition resulting from not enough growth hormone (GH). Generally the most noticeable symptom is that an individual attains a short height. Newborns may also prese ...

, hypothyroidism, excessive dopamine action in the

tuberoinfundibular pathway The tuberoinfundibular pathway refers to a population of dopamine neurons that project from the arcuate nucleus ( the "infundibular nucleus") in the tuberal region of the hypothalamus to the median eminence. It is one of the four major dopamine p ...

and/or the anterior pituitary, and ingestion of drugs that activate the D₂ receptor, such as direct D₂ receptor agonists like

bromocriptine Bromocriptine, originally marketed as Parlodel and subsequently under many brand names, is an ergoline derivative and dopamine agonist that is used in the treatment of pituitary tumors, Parkinson's disease, hyperprolactinaemia, neuroleptic ...

and

pergolide Pergolide, sold under the brand name Permax and Prascend (veterinary) among others, is an ergoline-based dopamine receptor agonist used in some countries for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is associated with reduced do ...

, and indirect D₂ receptor activators like amphetamines (through the induction of dopamine release).

Diagnosis

Guidelines for diagnosing hypoprolactinemia are defined as prolactin levels below 3 µg/L in women, and 5 µg/L in men.

Management

There are few treatments which increase prolactin levels in humans. Treatment differs based on the reason for diagnosis. Women who are diagnosed with hypoprolactinemia following

are typically advised to formula feed, although treatment with

metoclopramide Metoclopramide is a medication used for stomach and esophageal problems. It is commonly used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting, to help with emptying of the stomach in people with delayed stomach emptying, and to help with gastroesoph ...

has been shown to increase milk supply in clinical studies. For

subfertility Infertility is the inability of a person, animal or plant to Sexual reproduction, reproduce by natural means. It is usually not the natural state of a healthy adult, except notably among certain eusocial species (mostly haplodiploid insects). I ...

, treatment may include

clomiphene citrate Clomifene, also known as clomiphene, is a medication used to treat infertility in women who do not ovulate, including those with polycystic ovary syndrome. Use results in a greater chance of twins. It is taken by mouth once a day, with a cour ...

gonadotropin Gonadotropins are glycoprotein hormones secreted by gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary of vertebrates. This family includes the mammalian hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), the placental/ chorioni ...

References

External links