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Macroprolactinemia in hyperprolactinemic infertile women
Krithika Thirunavakkarasu1, Pinaki Dutta, Subbiah Sridhar
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
Endocrine
|April 2, 2013
Summary
Macroprolactinemia affects 11.5% of hyperprolactinemic infertile women. True hyperprolactinemia is linked to more menstrual issues and galactorrhea than macroprolactinemia, impacting fertility outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Hyperprolactinemia is a common cause of menstrual disturbances and infertility.
- Macroprolactin is a high molecular weight form of prolactin, but its prevalence in infertile women with hyperprolactinemia is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of macroprolactinemia in hyperprolactinemic infertile women.
- To compare the clinical, hormonal, and fertility outcomes of infertile women with true hyperprolactinemia versus macroprolactinemia.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care center from June 2010 to June 2011.
- Screening of infertile women attending the infertility clinic for hyperprolactinemia.
- Polyethylene glycol precipitation assay used to detect macroprolactin in hyperprolactinemic women.
Main Results:
- Out of 1,163 infertile women, 183 (15.7%) had hyperprolactinemia.
- Macroprolactinemia was identified in 21 (11.5%) of these women.
- Oligomenorrhea and galactorrhea were significantly more prevalent in true hyperprolactinemia (46%, 30%) compared to macroprolactinemia (14%, 5%).
- Pregnancy rates were 13.5% for true hyperprolactinemia and 9% for macroprolactinemia.
Conclusions:
- Macroprolactinemia is present in a significant subset of infertile women with hyperprolactinemia.
- Clinical presentation differs between true hyperprolactinemia and macroprolactinemia.
- Prolactin measurement is crucial in infertility evaluations, and macroprolactin screening is recommended when results conflict with clinical findings.
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