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Prolactin

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Prolactin  is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland, named because of its role in lactation.  Prolactin  is a hormone named originally after its function to promote milk production (lactation) in mammals in response to the suckling of young after birth. Synthesis PRL consists of 198 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 21,500 kDa; it is weakly homologous to GH and human placental lactogen (hPL), reflecting the duplication and divergence of a common GH-PRL-hPL precursor gene on chromosome 6. PRL is synthesized in lactotropes, which constitute about 20% of anterior pituitary cells. Lactotropes and somatotropes are derived from a common precursor cell that may give rise to a tumor secreting both PRL and GH. Marked lactotrope cell hyperplasia develops during the last two trimesters of pregnancy and the first few months of lactation. These transient functional changes in the lactotrope population are induced by estrogen. Secretion Normal adult serum PRL levels ...
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Pancreas

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The pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach and close to the upper part of the small intestine. Secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube is called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest the fats, proteins and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it derives from food for energy. Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Signs and Symptoms: Acute pancreatitis usually begins with a sharp, severe pain in the upper abdomen that may last for a few hours or a few days. Symptoms include: 1- Constant pain in the upper abdomen, in the back and other areas 2- Pain may be sudden and intense or may begin as a mild pain that is aggravated by eating and drinking 3- Elevated pulse 4- Fever 5- Nausea and vomiting 6- Swollen and tender abdomen Diagnosis: Your doctor will ask about ...
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Hypothalamic Tumor

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HYPOTHALAMIC, PITUITARY, AND OTHER SELLAR MASSES PITUITARY TUMORS    Pituitary adenomas are the most common cause of pituitary hormone hypersecretion and hyposecretion syndromes in adults. They account for ~15% of all intracranial neoplasms. At autopsy, up to one-quarter of all pituitary glands harbor an unsuspected microadenoma. Pathogenesis    Pituitary adenomas are benign neoplasms that arise from one of the five anterior pituitary cell types. The clinical and biochemical phenotype of pituitary adenomas depend on the cell type from which they are derived. Thus, tumors arising from lactotrope (PRL), somatotrope (GH), corticotrope (ACTH), thyrotrope (TSH), or gonadotrope (LH, FSH) cells hypersecrete their respective hormones. . Plurihormonal tumors that express combinations of GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, and the glycoprotein hormone α subunit may be diagnosed by careful immunocytochemistry or may manifest as clinical syndromes that combine features of these hor...
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