lactotroph

Lactotrophs are cells within the anterior pituitary gland that produce and secrete prolactin hormone. These cells constitute about 20 percent of the anterior pituitary and are primarily located in its lateral regions. Prolactin is a protein hormone that plays a crucial role in initiating and maintaining milk secretion in female mammals after other hormones have prepared the mammary glands. It is sometimes referred to as the "parenting" hormone due to its role in progeny care. In females, high prolactin levels can also inhibit fertility by suppressing gonadotropin secretion. The secretion of prolactin is mainly regulated by the hypothalamus, primarily through inhibition by the neurotransmitter dopamine.12