Prolactin and growth hormone response in induced hypoglycaemia in obese patients

Obesity represents a metabolic abnormality which brings a disordered hormone response during functional pituitary tests. Twenty obese patients were investigated and growth hormone and prolactin response during the insulin tolerance test were determined and the result was compared to an adequate control group consisting of 10 healthy nonobese patients. Two types of prolactin response were obtained--one normal and one decreased, unlike the growth hormone response which was constantly decreased. The authors discuss the hypothesis according to which the defect of endocrine hypothalamus might be an etiological factor of obesity.