Higher maternal serum prolactin levels are associated with reduced glucose tolerance during pregnancy

Abstract

It is unknown if high prolactin levels during pregnancy contribute to the development of gestational diabetes. We hypothesized that higher prolactin levels are associated with reduced glucose tolerance, as determined by higher 2-hour glucose level from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in pregnancy. 75 gram OGTT was performed at 28 weeks of gestation in 69 participants. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between serum prolactin and 2-hour glucose levels. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated an independent and significant relationship between third trimester prolactin and 2-hour glucose levels post OGTT. Higher prolactin levels were associated with higher glucose levels independent of age, BMI, gravidity and parity. Higher prolactin levels associated with reduced glucose tolerance in the third trimester of pregnancy suggests possible independent role of prolactin in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes.