Circadian rhythmicity of prolactin secretion in elderly subjects: changes during bromocriptine treatment

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Abstract
Prolactin has been taken as an index of neuroendocrine function in aging, where dopaminergic neurotransmission in considered to be impaired. The mean concentration of the hormone in the 24 h is higher in the aged men than in the adult controls. A sleep entrained periodicity is present in both aged subjects and controls, but a harmonic analysis of rhythmicity shows that secretory episodes have in aged men a slower periodicity than in adults. In aged men bromocriptine decreases the mean PRL values in the 24 h and the periodicity analysis shows the occurrence of harmonics with shorter period.