Secretion and Crinophagy in Prolactin Cells

Abstract
The prolactin cell or mammotroph has been recognized as a distinct structural entity since the 1950’s when it became evident that it has distinctive staining properties1 and a distinctive fine structure. Since then we have acquired a wealth of new information on how this cell functions. It is the purpose of this presentation: (a) to review and summarize what is known about prolactin secretion and its regulation, and (b) to outline some of the still unresolved questions that remain for the future, from the perspective of a cell biologist interested in the relationship between cell structure and function.