[Changes in plasma prolactin levels after gynecologic surgery]

The effect of total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH) on serum prolactin (PRL) levels in 17 women of reproductive age was studied. Fifteen women who had minor surgery served as controls. Serum PRL levels of those women who underwent TAH as well as in those who underwent minor procedures rose significantly 24 hours after surgery. Six weeks after operation PRL levels returned to pre-operative levels in all women studied. From these data we conclude that operative stress is the cause of this rise.