[A comparative study of the level of plasma prolactin in women and men undergoing operations under halothane and neuroleptanesthesia].

Twenty women and 20 men subjected to urologic operations comprise the study group. Ten women and 10 men were operated under halothane anesthesia and 10 women and 10 men--under neuroleptanesthesia. Plasma prolactin levels were determined before induction in anesthesia, and 30 and 60 minutes after the onset of the operation. The mean plasma prolactin level in women exceeded the upper normal limit at the first determination before induction in anesthesia. During the operation, both in women and in men, with either type of anesthesia there occurred statistically significant rise in the mean plasma prolactin, more pronounced in women than in men. In women, the rise in plasma prolactin was greater during operations performed under halothane anesthesia and in men--under neuroleptanesthesia.