Correlation between levels of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate and prolactin in human breast cyst fluid

Abstract

Concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS), cortisol (F), aldosterone (A) and prolactin (PRL) were measured in 70 samples of breast cyst fluid (BCF) obtained by needle aspiration from patients having gross cystic disease of the breast. DHAS concentrations in our series of BCF were scattered over a broad range, up to values 200-fold higher than in plasma, with ample interindividual variability; cortisol was present in BCF in very small amounts. Aldosterone and PRL values were in the same order of plasma levels; moreover, a significant correlation was found between DHAS and PRL concentrations in BCF.