[Galactorrhea and prolactin secretion in acromegaly]

Dependence of lactorrhea on the basic blood level of somatotropic hormone (STH), prolactin (PL), folliculostimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) was studied in 62 patients with an active phase of acromegaly, untreated, and in 41 with inactive phase of the disease following radiation therapy. Thyrotropic hormone (TTH), PL, and STH secretion (basic and after intravenous injection of 200 micrograms of thyroliberin) was determined in 20 patients with active and in 6--with inactive acromegaly following radiation therapy. In patients with active acromegaly the percentage of lactorrhea in women constituted 60 and in men--9.5, and with inactive acromegaly (after radiation therapy) it was 13.3 and 0, respectively. Basic PL level was significantly elevated in both groups of patients. The principle role in the pathologenesis of lactorrhea in acromegaly proved to be played by increased PL secretion. Under the effect of thyroliberin PL secretion was significantly elevated in comparison with control in 15 patients with active acromegaly and in all cases at the stage of remission. Basic TTH level and this level after thyroliberlin stimulation was within the normal range. In 4 patients with lactorrhea the absence of TTH secretion was combined with unresponsiveness of PL secretion, this suggesting the presence of tumour growth. STH secretion was independent of lactorrhea both under basic conditions and after thyroliberin stimulation.