Dynamics of Prl release in galactorrhoeic normoprolactinaemic women

Prl responsiveness to TRH and sulpiride was evaluated in 14 galactorrhoeic normoprolactinaemic women. Radiological signs of sellar alteration were present in 6 of these patients. Pituitary responses to TRH did not differ from those obtained in a group of 16 healthy women. Serum Prl levels after sulpiride were higher in the patients than in the controls (P less than 0.01). The delta max response was 256 +/- 16 SE vs 158 +/- 10.6 ng/ml in the control group (P less than 0.01). The mean integrated area after sulpiride was also greater 20738 +/- 1263 SE ng/ml/2 h vs 13 188 +/- 408) (P less than 0.01). The markedly enhanced Prl response to sulpiride in our patients with galactorrhoea could be due to a functional disorder of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis or to a lactotrope hyperplasia.