Expression of prolactin receptors in human liver during cholestasis of different etiology and secondary liver cancer.

Indirect immunoperoxidase assay and computer analysis of photographic images revealed more intensive expression of prolactin receptors in hepatocytes of women compared to men. The intensity of expression was maximum in secondary liver cancer, high in obstructive jaundice of different etiology, and less pronounced in cholelithiasis. The expression of prolactin receptors in cholangiocytes was higher than in hepatocytes and was maximum during obstructive jaundice of different etiology. Cells of secondary tumors were characterized by low expression, while distant hepatocytes most intensively expressed prolactin receptors.