Prolactin Meaning and Definition
Prolactin
Pronunciation
/proʊˈlæktaɪn/
Part of Speech
Protein
Definition
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production in the mammary glands of female mammals during lactation, including humans.
Etymology
The word “Prolactin” comes from the Latin “prolactare”, meaning “to nourish or nourishment”, and the suffix “-in”, indicating a hormone or protein.
Usage Notes
Prolactin is often used in medical contexts to describe its role in lactation, as well as in research studies on its effects on breast milk production and mammary gland development.
Cultural References
Prolactin has been mentioned in various scientific and medical texts, including research papers and peer-reviewed journals.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
There are no common idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word “Prolactin”.
Related Words or Phrases
- Estrogen
- Protein
- Hormone
- Lactation
Collocations
- Prolactin levels
- Prolactin tests
- Prolactin production
Frequency of Use
The word “Prolactin” is relatively uncommon in everyday language, but it is frequently used in medical and scientific contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Prodactin
- Prolactic
- Prolicatin