Influences of Exercise and Training on the Circulating Concentration of Prolactin in Humans

Abstract

Physical activity has an impact on several endocrine functions. During exercise, certain endocrine adjustments are required to maintain the homeostasis. It is well known that, depending on the intensity and duration, exercise stimulates the release of the hormone prolactin (PRL). After the cessation of acute exercise, this effect persist and continues during the recovery period. Chronic exercise can affect the PRL basal concentration and/or the PRL response to acute exercise. The main functions of PRL are associated with the maintenance of homeostasis and processes of reproduction. A role for PRL also has been recognised as an important regulator of cellular proliferation. The present review examines the exercise‐induced acute or adaptive responses of PRL secretion. It is also hypothesised that increased concentrations of PRL during exercise could play an important role for neuroplasticity as a result of involvement of the hormone in the neurogenesis in subventricular zone of the adult brain.

Enhanced Strength and Sprint Levels, and Changes in Blood Parameters during a Complete Athletics Season in 800 m High-Level Athletes

“…On the other hand, previous studies have shown an increase in prolactin (PRL) induced by exercise (Gray et al, 1993 ; Hickson et al, 1994 ; Kraemer et al, 1998 ), which appears to be related to the intensity of exercise (Luger et al, 1992 ). However, there is controversial literature about the changes of resting and exercise-induced PRL concentration and its association to overtraining states (Rojas-Vega et al, 2011 ). Growth hormone (GH) and its primary downstream mediator, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), play an important role in formation, maintenance, and regeneration of skeletal muscles (Frystyk, 2010 ).…”

Effects of aerobic exercise on hematologic indices of women with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized clinical trial

“…[167] Most of the patients with RA suffer from impaired muscle function such as (or including) imbalance and reduced muscle strength. [8] The symptoms of RA, such as joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and other complications, may hamper the physical training and reduce physical fitness.…”

Acute Hormonal Responses to High-Intensity Interval Training in Hyperoxia

“…Previous studies have indicated that physical exercise can have powerful acute effects on hormonal release ( Galbo, 1983 ; Hackney and Lane, 2015 ). In this regard, exercise-induced increases in blood cortisol ( Galbo, 1983 ), prolactin ( Hackney, 2008 ; Rojas Vega et al, 2012 ), and VEGF ( Kadi, 2005 ) levels have been well documented. Interestingly, in the present study, statistically significant increases in cortisol concentrations were only observed in the group performing HIIT under hyperoxia.…”

“…Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between changes in blood lactate concentrations and prolactin only under the hyperoxic condition. Changes of prolactin may be of interest because of its multiple regulatory effects on reproduction, homeostasis, growth and development as well as immunoregulation, all of which are essential components of physiological and morphological training adaptations ( Hackney et al, 2016 ; Rojas Vega et al, 2012 ). Prolactin seems to be released in response to various forms of stress, including, but not limited to, exercise ( Strüder et al, 1996 ).…”