To clarify the factors affecting pituitary prolactin (PRL) reserve during development, the serum PRL response to TRH and serum LH, FSH response to LH-RH were studied. The basal levels of serum estradiol (E
2), testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured in 128 normal children and adolescents and 18 cases of Turner's syndrome.
In males, no correlation was found between E
2, T, DHEA-S and the integrated secretion of PRL (∑PRL), while a positive correlation was found between the integrated secretion of FSH (∑FSH) and ∑PRL (p<0.05).
In females, positive correlations were found between E
2 and ∑PRL (p<0.01), the integrated secretion of LH (∑LH) and ∑PRL (p<0.01) and DHEA-S and ∑PRL (p<0.01). E
2 was selected as the explanatory variable of ∑PRL by means of multiple regression analysis.
In cases of Turner's syndrome, endocrinologically characterized by high gonadotropins and low E
2, a positive correlation was found between ∑FSH and ∑PRL (p<0.05).
These findings suggest a stimulating effect of E
2 on PRL reserve in females and the stimulating effect of endogenous LH-RH on PRL reserve in both sexes in children and adolescents.
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