Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic Clamps in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice
Published on: November 16, 2011
Hypoglycemia-induced prolactin release
Abstract:
Recent advances in neurosurgical techniques have made it possible to remove pituitary adenomata with minimal morbidity and mortality. These developments have focused attention on early recognition of pituitary tumors, before the onset of visual disturbances or endocrine dysfunction. We have studied the prolactin response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia as an aid in the evaluation of patients with hypothalamic and pituitary disease. Regular insulin 0.1 units/kg was administered intravenously to normal subjects, to patients with pituitary tumors, and to patients with idiopathic galactorrhea. While the normal subjects regularly showed a prolactin response to hypoglycemia, this was observed infrequently in the other groups. It is possible that prolactin nonresponsiveness to insulin hypoglycemia may reflect nonspecific pituitary damage or may represent an abnormality specific to patients with galactorrhea. Our data suggest that the prolactin response to insulin hypoglycemia is a sensitive index of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction.
Related Concept Videos
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Major Hormones and Their Functions
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Hypoglycemia

