Role of estrogens in the regulation of prolactin receptors in liver cells of female rats

Strong expression of prolactin receptors in sinusoidal domains and cytoplasmic granules of hepatocytes, which is independent of cell location in the hepatic lobule and is positively regulated by estrogens, is revealed in pubertal female rats. In estrogen-treated animals, Prolactin receptors are also exposed in the perinuclear space of some hepatocytes surrounding the central veins. Estrogens regulate the intensity of prolactin receptors expression in hepatocytes, but not the number of cells containing these receptors.