[Effect of serum prolactin levels on luteal function in patients with recurrent abortions]

In order to evaluate the role of prolactin (PRL) on the regulation of luteal function, a series of clinical and laboratory examinations were carried out in 30 patients with history of habitual abortion. The following parameters were included: serum hormone levels by radioimmunoassay during follicular and luteal phase, ultrasonic scan of ovary and endometrial biopsy. The results indicated that: (1) The serum level of PRL was normal in 86.7% of the patients (26/30), and hyperprolactin either hypoprolactinemia accounted for 6.6% of the patients. Both hyperprolactinemia and hypoprolactinemia had abnormal development of follicles and/or luteal function deficiency (LPD) in varying degrees. (2) There were 42.3% of patients with LPD, and abnormal follicular development was one of the important causes for LPD. (3) The concentration of serum PRL showed a marked decrease in patients with spontaneous abortion (P < 0.05) as compared to that of women who went to term. It indicated that PRL level might be associated with luteal function during early pregnancy.