Prolactin Synthesis and Secretion in a Patient with the Forbes Albright Syndrome

Abstract

Serum prolactin concentrations studied by radioimmunoassay in a patient with the Forbes Albright syndrome were grossly elevated and the pituitary tumor in vitro synthesized and released prolactin at a greatly accelerated rate. Serum prolactin in this patient and other normal subjects was not affected in a predictable manner by arginine infusion or insulin-induced hypoglycemia. However, the stress of surgery in some patients was associated with elevated prolactin levels. Human prolactin produced by the tumor can be separated from human growth hormone by electrophoresis at an acid pH.