Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates milk production in mammals after childbirth. It also plays a role in regulating the immune system and metabolism.
Related terms
Anterior pituitary gland: The front part of the pituitary gland which produces hormones like growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin.
Lactation: The process of producing milk by the mammary glands following childbirth, primarily regulated by prolactin.
Hypothalamus: A region of the brain that controls many bodily functions including temperature regulation and thirst; it also regulates the secretion of hormones from the pituitary gland