Lack of suppression of increased circulating prolactin by 2-hydroxyestrone.

To study the effect of 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) on circulating prolactin (PRL) in a hyperprolactinaemic state, seven anovulatory women with hyperprolactinaemia were given a 2-OHE1 infusion at a rate of 80 microgram/h for 3 h following a control infusion. Plasma samples for PRL determination were obtained at 30-minute intervals for 6h. No changes in PRL levels were observed during the 2-OHE1 infusion as compared with the control period. It was concluded under conditions of the present experiment that 2-OHE1 does not suppress circulating PRL in hyperprolactinaemic anovulatory women.