Alterations in Serum Prolactin and Progesterone Profiles among Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ilorin, Nigeria: Implications for Reproductive Endocrine Dysfunction

Authors

  • Akeem Olayinka Busari Multicenter Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PMBqBM), Institute of Biosciences (INBIO), Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil Author
  • Michael Omotayo Adedeji Department of Biological Sciences, Tuskegee Institute, Macon County, Alabama, United States of America Author
  • Muhammad Yalwa Gwarzo Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. Author
  • Kamoru Ademola Adedokun Department of Immunology and Cell Stress, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America Author
  • Shefiat Bashir Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria Author
  • Mashood Bolaji Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Author

Keywords:

Nigeria, Progesterone, Prolactin, Reproductive hormones, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that reproductive hormones such as prolactin and progesterone may influence glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. However, data from sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria, remains limited. Thus, this study assesses the impact of T2DM on serum prolactin and progesterone levels among female patients in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted among 90 participants recruited from General Hospital, Ilorin. Fasting plasma glucose was estimated using the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method, while serum prolactin and progesterone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean FPG was significantly higher in T2DM patients (10.36 ± 4.51 mmol/L) compared to controls (4.63 ± 0.50 mmol/L; p < 0.001). Serum prolactin levels were significantly lower in T2DM patients (12.46 ± 7.57 ng/mL) compared to controls (18.03 ± 8.12 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Similarly, progesterone levels were significantly lower in T2DM patients (1.59 ± 0.33 ng/mL) compared to controls (1.91 ± 0.34 ng/mL; p < 0.05). However, FPG showed a non-significant negative correlation with prolactin and progesterone levels.

Conclusion: Female patients with T2DM had significantly lower prolactin and progesterone levels than healthy controls. These findings suggest a potential association between reproductive hormone dysregulation and T2DM pathophysiology in women.

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Published

2026-06-01

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): AJOHS

Section

Articles