Prolactin (PRL), also known as lactotropin and mammotropin, is a protein that (helps or) has role in enabling mammals to produce milk.

It is (a player or) or has influence in over 300 separate processes in various vertebrates, including humans.[1] Prolactin (comes from or) is secreted from the pituitary gland. It comes as a response to eating, mating, estrogen treatment, ovulation and nursing.[2][3]


  1. Bole-Feysot C, Goffin V, Edery M, Binart N, Kelly PA (Jun 1998). "Prolactin (PRL) and its receptor: actions, signal transduction pathways and phenotypes observed in PRL receptor knockout mice". Endocrine Reviews. 19 (3): 225–68. doi:10.1210/edrv.19.3.0334. PMID 9626554.
  2. Ben-Jonathan N, Hugo ER, Brandebourg TD, LaPensee CR (April 2006). "Focus on prolactin as a metabolic hormone". Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. 17 (3): 110–116. doi:10.1016/j.tem.2006.02.005. PMID 16517173. S2CID 37979194.
  3. Ali M, Mirza L (2021-05-01). "Morbid Obesity Due to Prolactinoma and Significant Weight Loss After Dopamine Agonist Treatment". AACE Clinical Case Reports. 7 (3): 204–206. doi:10.1016/j.aace.2021.01.004. PMC 8165126. PMID 34095489.