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prolactin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low
UK/prəʊˈlaktɪn/US/proʊˈlæktɪn/

Technical/Scientific

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Quick answer

What does “prolactin” mean?

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production after childbirth.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production after childbirth.

A peptide hormone that promotes lactation in mammals and has various other functions in metabolism, immune regulation, and behavior.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.

Connotations

Neutral scientific term in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, confined to specialist fields.

Grammar

How to Use “prolactin” in a Sentence

Prolactin is secreted by XX stimulates/inhibits prolactinLevels of prolactin increase/decrease

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
secrete prolactinprolactin levelsprolactin secretioninhibit prolactin
medium
high prolactinprolactin hormonerelease prolactinprolactin production
weak
measure prolactinprolactin testeffect of prolactin

Examples

Examples of “prolactin” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The drug is known to prolactin-secrete.
  • The tumour caused the gland to over-prolactin.

American English

  • The medication can prolactin-inhibit.
  • The condition made her body prolactin-overproduce.

adverb

British English

  • The gland was functioning prolactin-excessively.
  • The hormone was released prolactin-specifically.

American English

  • The cells secreted prolactin-abnormally.
  • The system responded prolactin-dependently.

adjective

British English

  • The prolactin-secreting adenoma required treatment.
  • They observed a prolactin-related effect.

American English

  • She had a prolactin-producing tumor.
  • The study focused on prolactin-mediated responses.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in medical, biological, and veterinary research papers and textbooks.

Everyday

Virtually never used in everyday conversation.

Technical

Standard term in endocrinology, obstetrics, gynaecology, and animal science.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “prolactin”

Strong

PRL

Neutral

lactogenic hormoneluteotropic hormone

Weak

milk-stimulating hormone

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “prolactin”

prolactin inhibitor

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “prolactin”

  • Misspelling as 'prolactine' or 'prolactim'. Confusing it with 'progesterone' or 'oxytocin'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Prolactin is produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.

Yes, men can have elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinaemia), which can cause symptoms like decreased libido and infertility.

No, while its primary role is in lactation, prolactin has over 300 reported functions in the body, including roles in metabolism, immune regulation, and behavior.

A common cause is a benign tumour of the pituitary gland called a prolactinoma. Certain medications can also raise prolactin levels.

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production after childbirth.

Prolactin is usually technical/scientific in register.

Prolactin: in British English it is pronounced /prəʊˈlaktɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /proʊˈlæktɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “None”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think 'pro' (for) + 'lactin' (relating to lactation/milk). It's the hormone 'for lactation'.

Conceptual Metaphor

Hormone as a chemical messenger or switch for milk production.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The pituitary gland secretes , which is essential for milk production.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of prolactin?