Adenohypophyseal hormone levels during hyperthermia.

The effect of hyperthermia on some adenohypophyseal hormone levels (prolactin, growth hormone, adrenocorticotropin, thyrotropin) in plasma was studied. The levels of prolactin increased significantly (310%) during Finnish sauna. The growth hormone levels increased slightly, whereas the levels of adrenocorticotropin and thyrotropin were unaltered. The increase in prolactin levels during hyperthermia resembled the changes in the levels of prolactin which have been found during stress and exercise.