Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jan 2001
Investigation of the role of prolactin in the development and function of the lacrimal and harderian glands using genetically modified mice.
To determine whether prolactin receptor is essential for normal development and function of the lacrimal gland and whether hyperprolactinemia can alter lacrimal development. ⋯ Prolactin plays a small role in establishing the sexual dimorphism of male lacrimal glands. In females, hyperprolactinemia causes a hyperfemale morphology, suggesting a role in dry eye syndromes. Prolactin is required for porphyrin secretion by the Harderian gland but plays no essential role in the secretory immune function of the lacrimal gland.