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predominantly suppresses prolactin release from the pituitary gland. In other words, there is
usually a hypothalamic "Stop that" order set against the lactotroph, and prolactin is released
only when the order is released. A note of interest is that If the pituitary stalk is severed,
prolactin release increases, while secretion of all the other pituitary hormones decreases
dramatically due to loss of hypothalamic releasing hormones. But this is an unlikely scenario for
most athletes and should obviously be avoided nonetheless.
The neurotransmitter Dopamine appears to act as the top dog prolactin-inhibiting factor. Dopamine
is secreted into portal blood by the hypothalamic neurons. Next it binds to receptors on
lactotrophs, and inhibits both the synthesis and release of prolactin. So chemicals and drugs that
interfere with dopamine release or receptor binding also increase the release of prolactin. These
are called antagonists. Drugs and chemicals that either increase, act as, or potentate dopamine
are agonists.
Of course there are other chemicals in the body s Action/Reaction Factor closet that positively
regulate prolactin. The major ones are GnRH, TRH (thyroid Releasing Hormone) and VIP (Vasoactive
Intestinal Polypeptide). By the way, hyper-stimulation of the nipples may have a stimulatory
effect upon prolactin release as well. But that is one we will leave alone.
So Why Do Non-Cross Dressing Men Produce Prolactin?
As a man ages his body begins to decrease the amount of androgens that it synthesizes. In fact
many studies have shown that an average 40 year old male produces about half of the testosterone
that he did when he was 18. So he possesses a lower rate of muscle anabolism yet a higher rate of
fat anabolism. Many researches have claimed that this is due to normal physiological changes that
occur as we progress through the years. In truth this is bullshit and supposition based upon
average sedimentary individuals. I monitor the physiological indicators of athletes for a living.
I can say conclusively that almost any otherwise healthy male that remains in peak condition and
eats a proper diet will retain a superior androgen production profile. So this is more so a matter
of choice than pre-programmed physiological events. With that said let s get on with the why of
prolactin.
Estrogen is a primary promoter of prolactin release. Of course there are other factors to consider
(which we will discuss in a moment) that may trigger excessive prolactin secretion, but the normal
trend toward increased prolactin release is due to increased estrogen synthesis.
More Action/Reaction
The clinical term for excessive release of prolactin is hyperprolactinemia. It is actually a
relatively common disorder in humans. There are many causes that initiate the condition including
prolactin-secreting tumors and therapy with certain drugs.
Males that experience hyperprolactinemia commonly develop hypogonadism (the shut down of the HPTA)
with decreased sperm production, decreased sex drive and impotence. Those affected normally show
breast enlargement (gynecomastia), but very rarely actually lactate. The gyno can initially
manifest itself as an increase in fatty tissue under the lower pectorals and a puffy appearance to
the areola and nipple.
A simple blood test for serum prolactin levels is commonly employed to evaluate the degree of
potential feminization a male can or is experiencing. The lab results are quite simple to read,
though a trained professional should interpret the results.
Normal Levels:
Adult:
Newborn: 100 to 300 (falls below 20 after 6 weeks)
Pregnancy
First Trimester:
Second trimester:
Third Trimester:
So in summery thus far we have learned that:
(1) Testosterone is a male s primary androgen that makes him a man.
(2) Testosterone and other androgens can be converted into the female hormone estrogen by the
enzyme aromatase.
(3) Adipose sites mass produce the aromatase enzyme and estrogen is anabolic to fat cells.
(4) Increased estrogen production can result in prolactin secretion.
(5) All of this in turn propagates increases adipose tissue synthesis and decreases androgen
production.
(Kind of a vicious circle isn t it?)
Now that we know why we have fallen from the favor of Upon High, next we will discuss how to re-
ascend Mount Olympus!
==========
(Part 2)
As we watch our female counter-parts fight the battle of the bulge and attempt to defy gravity
with a secretive smirk we erroneously assume that we, as males, are somehow immune to the effects
of time. Suddenly a day arrives when we look in the mirror to find a softer rounder stranger
staring back at us with the same look of denial upon his edifice as is upon our own. With a sense
of both horror and dismay we grasp at straws assuming a trick of the light has diminished our
reflective-self no longer an example of those who dwell upon Mount Olympus. Yup, middle age and
fat sucks.
In part 1 we had discussed the hormonal events that take place as we age which foster the
accumulation of feminizing fat deposits below a mans pectorals as well as around his waist and
hips. Interestingly enough, many young men these days suffer the same physical demise for the same
exact reasons.
So in summery thus far we have learned that:
(1) Testosterone is a male s primary androgen that makes him a man.
(2) Testosterone and other androgens can be converted into the female hormone estrogen by the
enzyme aromatase.
(3) Adipose sites mass produce the aromatase enzyme and estrogen is anabolic to fat cells.
(4) Increased estrogen production can commonly result in prolactin secretion.
(5) All of this in turn propagates increased adipose tissue synthesis and decreases androgen
production.
The result is a less masculine physique slipping slowly into femininity when compared to our
former selves. (Yikes!)
(Kind of a vicious circle isn t it?)
Now that we know why and how we have fallen from the favor of Upon High, next we will discuss how
to re-ascend Mount Olympus!
Diet of the Gods
As we age our bodies become less effective at handling metabolic events such as simple digestion
and assimilation of food. This is not because we are getting old as some may suggest, but
instead is directly respondent to the life we have lived and the hormone profiles our bodies
produce as a result. Due to the increase in fast foods containing trans-fats (any man-made
hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil such as margarine and Crisco) and endless exposure too
simple sugars we become somewhat (or even clinically) insulin insensitive or resistant. This is a
condition under which our bodies process carbohydrates poorly and store the predominance of them
as fat due to poor insulin receptor function on muscle cells. As a result our muscle tissue
receives less nutrients than we need for growth and repair but the adipose sites (fat cells) feed
ravenously. Advanced insulin insensitivity is called type-I diabetes, by the way. Since insulin
resistances and the resulting augmentation in adipose tissue furthers the increase in estrogen and
prolactin release while aiding in the inhibition of androgen production, it should seem evident
that this is not a favorable situation for a non cross-dressing male. This is actually quite
unfortunate as insulin, under the correct conditions, can greatly aid in making a man of any age a
beast.
Muscle Is Protein& Feed It First!
The first step upon a quest to re-ascend the coveted Mount is a diet that promotes an increase in
protein synthesis and acts to utilize fat stores as a source of energy to fuel it. This is not as
difficult as one may think. The goal is to allow the body a constant base supply of protein to
inhibit muscle tissue wasting while well timed periods of plasma amino acid spiking are employed
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