Prolactin (PRL) ELISA

Enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative determination of prolactin (PRL) in human serum.

INTENDED USE: For the quantitative determination of prolactin (PRL) in human serum by an enzyme immunoassay

GENERAL INFORMATION:Prolactin (PRL) is a polypeptide hormone synthesized by the lactotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Structurally, it is similar to two other polypeptide hormones namely, growth hormone and placental lactogen. PRL is a polypeptide containing 199 amino acids, while growth hormone and placental lactogen each have 191 amino acids. There is approximately 100 µg of prolactin in the human pituitary gland, which is a very small amount when compared to growth hormone, which is present at 8–10 mg.
The target organ of prolactin is the breast (mammary gland). Its main physiological action is not only to initiate but also to sustain lactation. The hypothalamus secretes dopamine, which has a direct effect of inhibition of the secretion of PRL.
If dopamine is not available or absent the secretion of PRL is autonomous. Clinical trends:
- In patients where tumours secrete prolactin there is a remarkable increase in the PRL level, which then decreases the secretion of gonadotropin resulting in infertility.
- If the pituitary gland is defi cient it leads to failure of lactation.
- In Sheehan’s syndrome the pituitary gland is deficient, therefore the PRL level is reduced.
- A few conditions where increases in prolactin levels are found include: hyperprolactinemia, adenomas of the pituitary gland, sleep, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, prolactinomas and stress.
- Prolactinomas are pituitary tumours secreting prolactin, found most frequently in females. In females they lead to amenorrhoea, which could be primary or secondary and give rise to a decrease in gonadotropin secretion by the pituitary. In men some degree of impotency accompanied by a low testosterone level occurs, followed by azospermia.

KIT CHARACTERISTICS:
- Method: ELISA
- Tests: 96
- Incubation Time / Conditions : 1 h, 10-15 min (RT/shaker)
- Standard Range: 20 - 3,200 µIU/ml
- Sensitivity analytical: 10 µIU/ml
- Final Sample Volume: 25 µl
- Sample Type: serum
- Isotope / Substrate: TMB 450 nm
- Internal Controls: 2
- Regulatory Status: CE