催乳素是主要由垂体前叶腺体分泌的一种蛋白激素,它可通过进入循环系统或局部地通过近旁分泌、旁分泌和自分泌活动形式,起经典的内分泌调节器作用。作者主要介绍催乳素的结构、功能和调控,催乳素基因的克隆及结构、发育性表达、定位和多态性。还阐述了催乳素基因与生产性能的关系。
Prolactin (PRL) is a protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. It can act as classic endocrine modulator via entry into the circulation or locally through juxtacrine, paracrine and autocrine modes of action. This paper introduced the structure, function and regulation of PRL, as well as the cloning and structure, developmental expression, mapping and polymorphism of PRL gene. It also expounded the relationship between the prolactin gene and production performance.