[Prolactin and its role in the regulation of ovarian function]

The prolactin is a versatile hormone with important functions in various phenomena such as immunological and reproductive process. Historically, the ovary-prolactin association has been viewed almost exclusively in the context of the hyperprolactinemia, although there are evidences that propts toward a direct control on ovarian function. Recently has been identified the synthetic apparatus of human prolactin localized in granulosa cells of ovarian follicle, it suggest an autocrine mechanism of prolactin in the intraovarian control. It is important ot establish the relations between the prolactin secreted by the pituitary and the prolactin-like peptides secreted by immunocompetent, endothelial and ovarian cells in several physiological and physiopathological states.