[Kinetics of prolactinemia after withdrawal of dopamine perfusion and during the administration of domperidone. Normal and hyperprolactinemic subjects (prolactinomas and suprahypophyseal lesions)]

Abstract

Fifteen normal menstruating women in the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle, fifteen patients with prolactin secreting adenomas, two patients with a suprahypophysial lesion and an hyperprolactinemia, underwent a dopamine infusion (4 micrograms/kg/mn for four hours and an orally administration of domperidone (40 mg). Prolactin rebound after the arrest of dopamine infusion and during domperidone are + 400% and + 2,300% in normal subjects. These same studies are followed by similar and reduced prolactin response in suprahypophyseal lesion and prolactinomas. Such results suggest an abnormality of central dopaminergic control and/or a primary abnormality of lactotropes in prolactinomas. In two prolactinomas the normalization of both prolactin level and prolactin responses during the same tests is in favor of a primary abnormality of adenomatous lactotrope. These data justify neuro-surgical adenomectomy.