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Definition of prolactin - 5 dictionary results

pro⋅lac⋅tin

  [proh-lak-tin]
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–noun Biochemistry.
an anterior pituitary polypeptide hormone that stimulates lactation by the mammary glands at parturition in mammals, the activity of the crop in birds, and in some mammalian species the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum.
Also called anterior pituitary hormone, lactogenic hormone, luteotropin.

Origin:
1930–35; pro- 1 + lact- + -in 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pro·lac·tin   (prō-lāk'tĭn)   
n.  A pituitary hormone that stimulates and maintains the secretion of milk.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pro·lac·tin
Pronunciation: prO-'lak-t&n
Function: noun
: a protein hormone of the adenohypophysis of the pituitary gland thatinduces and maintains lactation in the postpartum mammalian female —abbreviation PRL;called also luteotropic hormone, luteotropin, mammotropin
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

prolactin pro·lac·tin (prō-lāk'tĭn)
n.

Abbr. PRL A pituitary hormone that stimulates and maintains the secretion of milk. Also called lactogenic hormone, lactotropin, luteotropic hormone, luteotropin.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Encyclopedia

prolactin

a protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland of mammals that acts with other hormones to initiate secretion of milk by the mammary glands. It also acts to maintain the corpus luteum of the ovary, which is the source of the female sex hormone progesterone. Its function in males is not known. In humans prolactin is similar to human growth hormone.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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