Affiliations: Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., México | Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F., México
Note: [] Correspondence to: Teresa Morales, PhD, Institute for Neurobiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, 76230, Queretaro, Qro., Mexico. Tel.: +52 55 5623 4071; Fax: +52 55 5623 4005; E-mail: marter@unam.mx
Abstract: Prolactin (PRL) stimulates milk secretion in the mammary gland, and its central actions include a variety of behavioral and neuronal effects, such as promoting maternal behavior and grooming, as well as anxiolytic and neuroprotective actions. PRL is released in the central nervous system in response to suckling, and its hypothalamic expression is enhanced in pregnant and lactating animals. This review focuses on trophic actions of PRL in the brain that can be involved in its protective actions.
