Daytime decrease of prolactin levels is associated with PCOS regardless to nutritional status and other hormones...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Health
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Prolactin (PRL) secretion exhibits diurnal variations.
• Nutritional status and endocrine disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may influence these variations.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for accurate hormonal assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of nutritional status (normal weight, overweight, obese) on daytime prolactin level changes.
• To determine how polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects these diurnal prolactin variations.
• To analyze the interplay between PCOS, nutritional status, and prolactin dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 115 women with PCOS and 77 controls (Non-PCOS).
• Participants were categorized by Body Mass Index (BMI): normal weight, overweight, and obese.
• Serum prolactin (PRL) levels were measured at 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; other hormones (FSH, LH, E2, testosterone, TSH) were also assessed.

Main Results:

• The daytime decrease in prolactin was significantly higher in women with PCOS compared to controls, irrespective of weight status.
• Normal-weight women, in both PCOS and Non-PCOS groups, exhibited a greater daytime prolactin decrease than overweight or obese individuals.
• Multivariate analysis indicated that increased daytime prolactin changes were associated with higher TSH levels and the presence of PCOS, while being inversely related to BMI.

Conclusions:

• Overweight and obesity appear to reduce morning prolactin levels and blunt its normal daytime decrease.
• The presence of PCOS exacerbates the alteration in prolactin's diurnal pattern.
• These findings highlight the complex interaction between PCOS, body weight, and prolactin regulation.