MALE PROLACTIN SECRETING PITUITARY ADENOMAS IN HUMANS STUDIED BY PEROXIDASE-LABELLED ANTIBODY METHOD

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Abstract
In order to identify the source of excess prolactin secretion in male patients, the pituitary tumors of 11 males with hyperprolactinemia were studied by peroxidase-labelled antibody method using antibodies against human prolactin. Using light microscope, in all cases prolactin was shown to be in the majority of the tumor cells. Ultrastructurally, prolactin was localized mainly on the secretory granules. Immunohistochemically positive cells were thought to correlate with the 1st type of tumor cells which were the major component observed by regular EM study without immunohistochemical staining. These findings indicated excess prolaction excretion by the tumor cells and were considered to be responsible for the category of male prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma. The mechanism by which these male hyperprolactinemic patients are endocrinologically non-functioning is also discussed.

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