Prolactin, corticotropin, and gonadotropin concentrations following thermal injury in adults.

The concentration of serum prolactin (PRL), plasma corticotropin (ACTH), serum follicle stimulating (FSH), and luteinizing (LH) hormones were measured in 28 adult burned patients (25 males and three females). Morning and night determinations were performed for each hormone. Serum PRL was elevated in males up to the fourth week after the thermal injury. Plasma ACTH increased significantly on the second day postburn and returned gradually to normal on the fifth; serum FSH and LH increased on day 1, then decreased significantly on day 2 and remained low for about 2 weeks. In females, while PRL increased significantly, the gonadotropins were slightly elevated and the ACTH remained within normal limits for the 3 days during which it was possible to study these patients. In all subjects the circadian rhythm of the four measured hormones showed significant variations from the normal pattern.