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Prolactin secretory rhythm in women: immediate and long-term alterations after sexual contact

Kruger, Tillmann H.C. ; Leeners, Brigitte ; Naegeli, Eva ; Schmidlin, Sandra ; Schedlowski, Manfred ; Hartmann, Uwe ; Egli, Marcel

In: Human Reproduction, 2012, vol. 27, no. 4, p. 1139-1143

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    Titre
    • Prolactin secretory rhythm in women: immediate and long-term alterations after sexual contact
    Auteur
    • Kruger, Tillmann H.C.. Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
    • Leeners, Brigitte. Clinic for Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Naegeli, Eva. Clinic for Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Schmidlin, Sandra. Clinic for Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Schedlowski, Manfred. Department of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
    • Hartmann, Uwe. Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
    • Egli, Marcel. Space Biology Group, ETH Zurich, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • Human Reproduction, 2012, vol. 27, no. 4, p. 1139-1143. Oxford University Press
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:297729
    Summary
    BACKGROUND Prolactin (PRL) is one of the most versatile hormones in the mammalian body, affecting reproductive, sexual and other functions. In rats, mating or vaginocervical stimulation activates a characteristic PRL secretory pattern for several days, which is essential for successful reproduction. Although the underlying mechanisms appear to be different, PRL is also crucial for human fertility. We have detected a PRL increase in women induced by sexual intercourse. Extending these findings, the current study aimed at analyzing the PRL secretory rhythm after sexual contact, in order to elucidate whether human females also show long-term alterations of the PRL secretory pattern. METHODS In a pilot study, serial blood samples were taken from women (n= 7) in mid-cycle to assess changes in PRL secretory rhythm induced by sexual intercourse, during a period of 32 h. RESULTS Compared with control condition, sexual intercourse with orgasm induced not only the well-established immediate PRL increase of ∼300% but also an additional PRL elevation around noon of the next day (P< 0.05). These fluctuations were measured on top of the regular circadian rhythm of PRL, manifested as a surge early in the morning. CONCLUSIONS We are able to demonstrate a long-term change in the PRL secretory rhythm after sexual intercourse with orgasm in females, suggesting memory effects. We hypothesize that the additionally secreted PRL could be beneficial for decidualization and implantation. Further studies with more participants are required to investigate in detail the implications of such effects on reproductive success in humans