Unveiling the Role of Prolactin and its Receptor in Male Reproduction

Sanketa Raut; Sharvari Deshpande; Nafisa H. Balasinor

doi:10.1055/a-0859-1144

Hormone and Metabolic Research, Table of Contents

Horm Metab Res 2019; 51(04): 215-219
DOI: 10.1055/a-0859-1144

Review

Unveiling the Role of Prolactin and its Receptor in Male Reproduction

Sanketa Raut^*

¹Neuroendocrinology Department, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health – ICMR, Mumbai, India

,

Sharvari Deshpande^*

¹Neuroendocrinology Department, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health – ICMR, Mumbai, India

,

Nafisa H. Balasinor

¹Neuroendocrinology Department, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health – ICMR, Mumbai, India

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Prolactin is a peptide hormone known to have multiple functions. However, the role of prolactin has been extensively studied only in female physiology and its function in male reproduction still remains majorly unexplored. Studies in rodents and humans have demonstrated the presence of prolactin and its receptor in testes, thereby suggesting a possible role during spermatogenesis. Experimental evidences from prolactin and prolactin receptor deficient male rodent models as well as studies done in hypo- and hyper-prolactinemic males hint at neuroendocrine and reproductive abnormalities. Nonetheless, there still remains a lot of ambiguity on the exact role of prolactin and its receptor in male reproduction. This review summarizes in depth on the role of prolactin in spermatogenesis.

Key words

prolactin - prolactin receptor - spermatogenesis - testis - male reproduction

Full Text

References

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