mone)

The primary things that triggers prolactin release are the stimulation of the nipples, stress, and increased levels of estrogen and other ovarian steroids. The suckling that a baby does to receive milk from its mother temporarily blocks the secretion of dopamine which normally inhibits prolactin. This action allows for a rise in serum prolactin concentrations allowing the baby to drink milk. Additionally, prolactin secretion is impacted by numerous factors released by the lactotrophs and other cells within the pituitary gland. Finally, Environmental stimuli such as light, odor, sound, and stress can also be included in causes for the secretion of prolactin.

3. Determine the location(s) that this hormone effects. What type of receptor interacts with your hormone, and where are the receptors located? How does this hormone enter or affect the cell?
Prolactin primarily impacts the mammary glands and the ovaries. Prolactin binding sites have been discovered in chemosensitive areas of the brain as well as the heart, lung, thymus, spleen, liver, pancreas, kidney, adrenal gland, skeletal muscle, and skin. The Prolactin receptor (PRLR) is a class 1 cytokine receptor. It contains a extracellular region, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic region. (Chon-Hwa Tsai-Morris, 2012). These receptors “are connected through tyrosine phosphorylation to a predominant downstream mediator” (Nelson D. Horseman, 2016) in order to enter the cell.

4. What is the physiological effect of this hormones action?

The most well known effect of prolactin is its impact on the mammary gland. It plays a big role in the growth and development of the gland, and the synthesis and secretion of milk after pregnancy. Prolactin not only increases lipoprotein lipase activity in the mammary gland in order for a mother to produce milk, it also acts as a neuropeptide to promote physiological responses related to reproduction, stress adaptation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection (Luz Torner, 2016). Data collected shows the influence of prolactin around reproductive b