Influences of exercise and training on the circulating concentration of prolactin in humans

Physical activity has an impact on several endocrine functions. During exercise, certain endocrine adjustments are required to maintain the homeostasis. It is well known that, depending on the intensity and duration, exercise stimulates the release of the hormone prolactin (PRL). After the cessation of acute exercise, this effect persist and continues during the recovery period. Chronic exercise can affect the PRL basal concentration and/or the PRL response to acute exercise. The main functions of PRL are associated with the maintenance of homeostasis and processes of reproduction. A role for PRL also has been recognised as an important regulator of cellular proliferation. The present review examines the exercise-induced acute or adaptive responses of PRL secretion. It is also hypothesised that increased concentrations of PRL during exercise could play an important role for neuroplasticity as a result of involvement of the hormone in the neurogenesis in subventricular zone of the adult brain.