Prolactin cell
Lactotrophs (also known as lactotrope, mammatroph, mammotroph, epsilon acidophil, prolactin cell, and lactotropic cell) are cells in the anterior pituitary which produce prolactin in response to signals including dopamine, estrogen, progesterone and Thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Dopamine has an inhibitory effect on PRL (prolactin) secretion. Lactotrophs are acidophilic and make up about 20% of all cells in the anterior pituitary gland.
If these cells undergo neoplastic transformation, they will give rise to a prolactinoma, a prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma.
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Lactotropes (lac = milk) are cells that actively secrete prolactin. Prolactin contributes to mammary gland maturation and the production of milk. Lactotropes work with many other hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, growth hormone, glucocorticoids, and others in mammary gland regulation. The function of lactotropes, in men, is poorly understood.***