**Background of PRL Antibodies**
Prolactin (PRL), a peptide hormone primarily synthesized by the anterior pituitary gland, plays critical roles in lactation, reproduction, and immune regulation. PRL antibodies, including monoclonal and polyclonal variants, are essential tools for detecting and quantifying PRL in research and clinical diagnostics. These antibodies target specific epitopes on the PRL molecule, enabling applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).
Elevated PRL levels (hyperprolactinemia) are associated with conditions like prolactinomas, infertility, and autoimmune disorders. PRL antibodies aid in diagnosing these pathologies by measuring serum or tissue PRL concentrations. Additionally, they are used to study PRL's extrapituitary sources (e.g., immune cells, mammary glands) and its role in pathophysiology, including autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) where PRL may act as a cytokine.
Autoantibodies against PRL, though rare, have been reported in autoimmune hypophysitis and prolactinomas, complicating hormone measurement. Thus, PRL antibody assays require validation to avoid cross-reactivity with homologous hormones (e.g., growth hormone) or binding interference from autoantibodies.
Overall, PRL antibodies are indispensable for advancing endocrine research, improving diagnostic accuracy, and exploring therapeutic interventions targeting PRL-related disorders.