Prolactin action in cystic fibrosis.

The pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis (CF), the secretory properties of CF cells and conductance studies of CF cells and membranes suggest that the basic defect of CF is an abnormality of regulation affecting a broad spectrum of functions. Prolactin (PRL) was proposed as the putative regulatory factor, because the multifarious activities of PRL, especially the well documented osmo- and electrolyte regulatory effects, can be related to all of the symptoms of CF. These include salt loss in sweat, abnormal mucus production, impaired intestinal digestion and absorption, male infertility, delayed puberty, failure to thrive, etc. Additionally those tissues in lower vertebrates in which PRL activity has been demonstrated are phylogenetically related to many of the tissues affected in CF.