Prolactin regulation in 14 cases of galactorrhea and hypogonadism with minimal modifications of the sella turcica (author's transl). / Etude de la fonction prolactinique dans 14 cas de galactorrhée avec hypogonadisme et micro-déformation de la selle turcique

ABSTRACT

In this study we report 13 cases of amenorrhea-galactorrhea and one of a male patient complaining of gynecomastia, galactorrhea, sexual impotence and sterility with oligoasthénospermy. In these cases, the size of the sella turcica was normal but we found a localized depression of the bottom of the sella turcica; these modifications were situated at the antero-inferior part of the sella in 12 cases and posteriorly in the 2 others. Basal prolactin level was higher than normal values in 13 cases (12 female and 1 male patients) individual values varied between 45 and 367 ng/ml. Nycthermeral rhythm disappeared in the 9 cases studied. Administration of L-Dopa (500 mg orally) significantly suppressed the prolactin values in the 11 cases studied. Oral water loading (20 ml/kg) left prolactin values unchanged (10 cases). After oral glucose tolerance test (1 g/kg) no significant systematic variation occurred. The increase of prolactin values after stimulation by 200 microg. TRH IV as a bolus (4 cases) was not significant. We have found similar prolactin variations in cases of hyperprolactinemia with either normal pituitary fossa (7 cases) or macro-adenoma (6 cases).