Along with cortisol, epinephrine, and glucagon, GH maintains blood glucose for CNS use and mobilizes fat as an alternative metabolic fuel. The pituitary doubles in size during pregnancy largely because of hyperplasia and hypertrophy of lactotrophs. In humans, the major function of prolactin is regulation of milk production. Prolactin release also occurs with stress and sexual activity. Although prolactin has many other effects in other species, it is not clear whether it has any other significant physiologic actions in humans.
Prolactin is the hormone most frequently produced in excess by pituitary tumors.
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