a gonadotrophic hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. In mammals it stimulates the secretion of progesterone by the corpus luteum and initiates and maintains lactation
Also called: luteotrophin, luteotrophic hormone. See also follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone
prolactin in American English
(proʊˈlæktɪn)
noun
a pituitary hormone stimulating milk secretion in mammals and secretion by the crop gland in certain birds