Hyperprolactinemia and infertility
Hyperprolactinemia (HP) is the presence of abnormally-high prolactin levels in the blood. Values lesser than 580
mIU/L are considered normal for women. Prolactin is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and is primarily
associated with breast development during pregnancy and induces lactation. However, prolactin also binds to
specific receptors in the gonads, lymphoid cells, and liver [33]. Hyperprolactinaemia may occur primarily as a result
of normal physiological changes during pregnancy, breastfeeding, mental stress, hypothyroidism, or sleep.
Pathologically, it may be due to diseases affecting the hypothalamus and pituitary gland or secondary to disease of
other organs such as the liver, kidneys, ovaries and thyroid. Also, it may be as a result of disruption of the normal
body regulations of prolactin levels by drugs, medicinal herbs and heavy metals; .
Hyperprolactinemia causes infertility by increasing the release of dopamine from the hypothalamus which inhibit
gonadotrophin- releasing hormone (GnRH) and thus gonadal steroidogenesis and eventual infertility