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Dopamine-Prolactin Relationship

Meaning

The Dopamine-Prolactin Relationship describes the primary neuroendocrine regulatory axis where the neurotransmitter dopamine acts as the principal inhibitor of prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary gland. This inverse relationship is fundamental to reproductive endocrinology, ensuring that prolactin levels remain low in non-lactating individuals, which prevents the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Clinical disruption of this balance, often due to medications that block dopamine receptors or pituitary tumors (prolactinomas), leads to hyperprolactinemia, which can cause galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and infertility. Understanding this delicate interplay is essential for managing reproductive and sexual health.