ABSTRACT
Physiological prolactin level is necessary for normal GnRH secretion and necessary for the maintenance of Inteal function. High prolactin secretion may interfere with the ovulation through inhibition of gonadotropin secretion and with the function of corpus luteum as demonstrated by short luteal phase and decrease progesterone. The objectives of this study were to 1] determine the upper normal value of prolactin hormone in Iraqi women and its range; 2] study the effect of age, type and duration of infertility on prolactin concentration. One hundred forty seven hyperprolactinemic infertile women were enrolled in this study. Those were compared with 125 control women. Serum prolactin hormone were estimated in cycle day 2, 12 and 21. The present study showed that the prolactin level in the serum of hyperprolactinemic infertile patients were significantly higher compared to control group in regard to the age of patients, duration, and type of infertility. There were no significant differences in the level of prolactin hormone between primary and secondary infertile patients. The upper limit for normal prolactin value in small sample Iraqi women was 20ng/ml with a range between 5-9 and 20 ng/ml. Age has a significant effect on prolactin concentration in infertile hyperprolactinemic women. Prolactin increased with increasing the duration of infertility