Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...

The Pituitary Gland

The Pituitary Gland

The pituitary is a small endocrine organ in the sphenoid bone under the hypothalamus. Primarily, the pituitary in adults has two distinct anatomical and functional regions— the anterior and posterior lobes. During human fetal development, a third pituitary gland region called the pars intermedia atrophies and disappears. However, some of its cells migrate and exist adjacent to the anterior pituitary in adults.

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal gland disorders manifest when the production of adrenal hormones deviates from the norm, resulting in either excessive or insufficient concentrations.
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Formulation and Clinical Evaluation of Sodium Benzoate Oral Solution for the Treatment of Urea Cycle Disorders in Pediatric Patients.

AAPS PharmSciTech·2020

Same author

Colonic content in health and its relation to functional gut symptoms.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2016

Same author

Intestinal gas content and distribution in health and in patients with functional gut symptoms.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2015

Same author

Prevalence of vascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus compared with type-1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study of two cohorts.

Lupus·2014

Same author

Potential sources for adult stem cells within the pancreas.

Journal of stem cells & regenerative medicine·2014

Same author

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells isolated from patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 are able to induce a pancreatic endocrine genes in vitro.

Journal of stem cells & regenerative medicine·2014

Same journal

Praxis·2026

Same journal

[What do Swiss doctors think about cardiovascular risk factors and guidelines?]

Praxis·2026

Same journal

[Laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT): a minimally invasive neurosurgical treatment option for brain tumours and radiation necrosis].

Praxis·2026

Same journal

[Persistent back pain after lifting trauma. From the trivial to the rare case].

Praxis·2026

Same journal

[A patient with dizziness and gait instability - a diagnostic challenge].

Praxis·2026

Same journal

[Meningoencephalitis caused by listeria monocytogenes].

Praxis·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

X-Ray Visualization of Intraductal Ethanol-Based Ablative Treatment for Prevention of Breast Cancer in Rat Models

X-Ray Visualization of Intraductal Ethanol-Based Ablative Treatment for Prevention of Breast Cancer in Rat Models

Published on: December 9, 2022

[Hyperprolactinemia in a man's world].

E Burri¹, R Nüesch, H Zulewski

¹Medizinische Universitätspoliklinik, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. BurriE@uhbs.ch

|December 3, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Idiopathic hyperprolactinemia, characterized by elevated prolactin levels, can cause symptoms like male hypogonadism and breast pain. This case highlights the importance of considering this diagnosis even without a visible pituitary tumor.

More Related Videos

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

X-Ray Visualization of Intraductal Ethanol-Based Ablative Treatment for Prevention of Breast Cancer in Rat Models

X-Ray Visualization of Intraductal Ethanol-Based Ablative Treatment for Prevention of Breast Cancer in Rat Models

Published on: December 9, 2022

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Reproductive Medicine

Background:

Hyperprolactinemia is a common endocrine disorder often caused by pituitary tumors but can also be idiopathic.
Symptoms in men include hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and decreased libido, though breast pain is less common.

Observation:

A 60-year-old male presented with several weeks of breast pain, long-standing erectile dysfunction, and recent diminished libido.
Initial investigations revealed significantly elevated serum prolactin levels (5-fold upper limit of normal), decreased testosterone, and normal gonadotropins.
Pituitary MRI did not reveal a tumoral mass.

Findings:

The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia based on clinical presentation and laboratory findings.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) excluded a pituitary adenoma as the cause.

Implications:

This case underscores the significance of idiopathic hyperprolactinemia in the differential diagnosis of male hypogonadism and unexplained breast pain.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment with dopamine-agonists can effectively manage symptoms and improve quality of life.