Comparative Endocrinology of Prolactin


Book Description

The selection of prolactin as the subject of the Midwest Con ference on Endocrinology was not only dictated by the recent ad vances in prolactin research but also by the long tradition in that particular area of Endocrinology in the laboratory of C.W. Turner at the University of Missouri. Therefore, it seems only appropri ate that these proceedings of the Tenth Midwest Conference on En docrinology are dedicated to the memory of this scientist, deceased in August 1975 before completion of this volume, whose pioneer in vestigations have contributed substantially to the advancement of our knowledge in many areas of Endocrinology and who played a major role in the early phases of prolactin research. This volume contains a review of the early studies in Turner's laboratory and the latest results obtained by some of the leading research workers in this area and should be a fitting memory to C.W. Turner. Some of the manuscripts printed here were prepared after the conference was held and include material of more recent origin. Much of the delay in publication was due to the length of time de voted to preparation of these manuscripts. To the other authors and participants, and to Plenum Press, we express our appreciation for their patience and cooperation. We also with to thank Mrs.










Prolactin


Book Description

Hormonal Proteins and Peptides: Prolactin, Volume VIII focuses on the broad spectrum of biological activities of prolactin among the vertebrates. This book discusses the function of prolactin in stimulating crop milk formation in birds as well as in inducing incubation behavior in the ring dove. Organized into five chapters, this volume starts with an overview of the chemistry of prolactin and its role on normal mammary gland growth and function. This text then explores the prolactin effects in tumor induction and growth. Other chapters review the status of the evolutionary biology and comparative endocrinology of prolactin. This book discusses as well the nature of prolactin cells, the control of prolactin secretion, and the nature of the prolactins from various vertebrate sources. The final chapter considers the significant advances in gonadotropins, including prolactin, follitropin, relaxin, and lutropin. This book is a valuable resource for biologists, endocrinologists, zoologists, embryologists, physicians, and medical health professionals.
















Prolactin


Book Description

Lactogenic hormone activity was first observed in bovine pituitary extracts by Stricker and Griiter in 1928, working in Bouin's laboratory in Strasbourg. Since that time prolactin has been shown to exist in anterior pituitary extracts of almost all vertebrate species investigated. Although its biology was extensively studied in many mammalian species, the existence of prolactin in the human was generally doubted, despite the positive evidence produced by such researchers as Pasteels. This can partly be explained by the fact that human growth hormone isolated in 1961, is itself a potent lactogen, in contrast to nonprimate growth hormones, and is present in the normal human pituitary in much greater amounts than prolactin. As a result there was a lag of nearly 10 years until prolactin was unanimously accepted as a hormone of the human pituitary, separate from human growth hormone. In 1970 new bioassay techniques permitted the demonstration of prolactin bioactivity in the serum of postpartum women and galactorrhea patients, and chromatographic methods led to the isolation and purification of human prolactin allowing the establishment of a specific radioimmunoassay for this hormone. This opened the road to the understanding of prolactin physiology and pathophysiology in the human, which has revolutionized clinical neuroendocrinology and reproductive endocrinology. Particularly hyperprolactinemia has turned out to be one of the most common endocrine syndromes.




Proceedings


Book Description