[Interest in prolactin levels in galactorrhea].

The action of prolactin (PRL) in supra-physiological levels on the ovaries or on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis for the release of gonadotropins leads to a reversible inhibition of the cyclic functioning of the pituitary gland and of the ovaries. The consequences are either the production of immature follicles marked by anovulatory or dysovulatory cycles, or the absence of follicle production marked by amenorrhea. Thus, prolactin plays a major role in the productive system by its lactotropic and antigonadotropic effects. Through this study we intend to try to determine the diagnostic value of the association of the cyclic dysfunctions with galactorrhea by measuring the prolactin levels in 2236 patients complaining of galactorrhea. Measurements of FSH and LH levels were also performed in 236 women among those consulting for infertility associated with galactorrhea. The results obtained showed that galactorrhea was associated with prolactenemia in only 17% of cases and of the ovaries was proportional to the prolactin in blood.