Human prolactinomas in cell culture: structure-function correlation and indication of early relapse

Cell cultures of 7 micro- and 16 macroprolactinomas obtained from twenty-three patients (10 males and 13 females) by transsphenoidal adenomectomies were found to be capable of secreting hormones in vitro. Prolactin levels in the culture media were measured during the culture periods and showed that the high PRL levels in culture media may indicate early relapse. Morphological features of both micro- and macroprolactinomas in vitro resembled those of the original tumors. Most macroprolactinomas harbored densely-granulated cells, while most microprolactinomas sparsely-granulated cells. The cell culture techniques combined with morphological studies of prolactinomas allow further investigation of structure-function correlation in human prolactinomas.