Effect of Prolactin on the Secretion of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Its Sulfate (DHEA-S), and Cortisol by the Human Fetal Adrenal in Vitro

Abstract

The effect of prolactin on the secretions of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S) as well as that of cortisol were studied in vitro in order to investigate the possible regulatory role of prolactin on steroidogenesis of the human fetal adrenal at mid-gestational age. The addition of 0.5 μg/m/ of human prolactin to the incubation medium produced a significant (P<0.05) increase in DHEA, DHEAS, and cortisol secretion. These results indicate that prolactin has a regulatory role in steroidogenesis in the human fetal adrenal at mid-gestation. © 1981, The Japan Endocrine Society. All rights reserved.