Sex differences in the pituitary TGFβ1 system: the role of TGFβ1 in prolactinoma development

Abstract

Prolactinomas are the most frequent functioning pituitary adenomas, and sex differences in tumor size, behavior and incidence have been described. These differences have been associated with earlier diagnosis in woman, as well as with serum estradiol levels. Experimental models of prolactinomas in rodents also show a higher incidence in females, and recent findings suggest that gender differences in the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1) system might be involved in the sex-specific development of prolactinomas in these models. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature supporting the important role of TGFbeta1 as a local modulator of pituitary lactotroph function and to provide recent evidencefor TGF1 involvement in the sex differences found in prolactinoma development in animal models.