How Do You Spell PROLACTIN?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈɒlɐktˌɪn] (IPA)

Prolactin is a hormone that is essential for lactation in mammals. Its spelling can be broken down into its individual phonemes using IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription. The word begins with a "p" sound, followed by an "r" sound, then an "ow" sound (represented by the letter "o"), and a "l" sound. The next two sounds are "ae" (represented by the letters "ac" in this case) and a "k" sound. Finally, the word ends with an "ih" sound and an "n" sound. In IPA, it is written as /prəuˈlæktɪn/.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling word
Plural
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PROLACTIN Meaning and Definition

  1. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which is a small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. It plays a crucial role in the female reproductive system, primarily in the initiation and maintenance of lactation or milk production after childbirth.

    In women, prolactin levels increase during pregnancy to stimulate breast development and prepare the mammary glands for milk production. After childbirth, prolactin secretion remains elevated, promoting lactation and breast milk synthesis. It inhibits the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which help prevent ovulation and menstruation while breastfeeding, known as lactational amenorrhea. Additionally, prolactin also contributes to maternal behavior and bonding.

    In males, prolactin levels are typically lower than in females and its function is not as well understood. However, it is involved in the regulation of certain aspects of male reproductive function, such as sperm production and sexual behavior.

    Abnormalities in prolactin levels can lead to various conditions, such as hyperprolactinemia (excessively high prolactin levels) or hypoprolactinemia (insufficient prolactin levels). Hyperprolactinemia can result in infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, decreased libido, and in some cases, milk production (galactorrhea) in non-lactating women or even men. It can be caused by conditions like prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, or certain medications. Hypoprolactinemia is less common and often associated with pituitary malfunction or damage.

Common Misspellings for PROLACTIN

Etymology of PROLACTIN

The word "prolactin" comes from the Latin term "pro" meaning "before, for" and "lactis" meaning "milk". The term was coined because the hormone prolactin is primarily responsible for stimulating milk production in mammals, particularly females after childbirth.

Similar spelling word for PROLACTIN

Plural form of PROLACTIN is PROLACTINS

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Correct spelling for prolactin
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