prolactin

[ proh-lak-tin ]
/ proʊˈlæk tɪn /

noun Biochemistry.

an anterior pituitary polypeptide hormone that stimulates lactation by the mammary glands at parturition in mammals, the activity of the crop in birds, and in some mammalian species the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum.
Also called anterior pituitary hormone, lactogenic hormone, luteotropin.

Origin of prolactin

First recorded in 1930–35; pro-1 + lact- + -in2

Words nearby prolactin

prokaryotes, prokhorov, prokofiev, prokopyevsk, prolabium, prolactin, prolactin-inhibiting factor, prolactin-producing adenoma, prolactin-releasing factor, prolactoliberin, prolactostatin

Example sentences from the Web for prolactin

British Dictionary definitions for prolactin

prolactin
/ (prəʊˈlæktɪn) /

noun

a gonadotrophic hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. In mammals it stimulates the secretion of progesterone by the corpus luteum and initiates and maintains lactation Also called: luteotrophin, luteotrophic hormone See also follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone

Medical definitions for prolactin

prolactin
[ prō-lăk′tĭn ]

n.

A pituitary hormone that stimulates and maintains the secretion of milk. lactogenic hormone lactotropin luteotropic hormone luteotropin

Scientific definitions for prolactin

prolactin
[ prō-lăk′tĭn ]

A protein hormone secreted by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland that stimulates and maintains the secretion of milk in mammals.