Effect of breastfeeding status on prolactin secretion and resumption of menstruation

Gross, Barbara A.; Eastman, Creswell J

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1983.tb136106.x

Cited by 16 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…1). Despite this decline, basal prolactin at 6 months postpartum was still higher than the concentration reported for non-lactating women at 6 months postpartum (Gross & Eastman, 1983). Similar decreases in basal prolactin during lactation have been found for women in the USA during the first month of lactation and from 1 to 7 months of lactation (Noel et al 1974;Tyson et al 1975;Battin, Marrs, Fleiss & Mishell, 1985), in Zaire from approximately I to 30 months of lactation (Hennart et al 1981) and in the Philippines from 1 to 20 months of lactation (Gross, Haynes, Eastman, Balderrama-Guzman & del Castillo, 1980).…”

Section: Plasma Prolactin and Milk Synthesiscontrasting

confidence: 55%

“…Prolactin is secreted into the blood in response to the suckling stimulus (Noel, Suh & Frantz, 1974;Tyson, Khojandi, Huth & Andreassen, 1975) and increased suckling frequency during galactopoiesis (established lactation) results in an elevation of the basal concentration of prolactin in the plasma (Delvoye, Demaegd, Delogne-Desnoeck & Robyn, 1977;Gross & Eastman, 1983). In addition, increased suckling frequency is also associated with increased milk production (Hennart, Delogne-Desnoeck, Vis & Robyn, 1981;Rattigan, Ghisalberti & Hartmann, 1981;De Carvalho, Robertson, Friedman & Klaus, 1983) and is recommended to women as a practical means of increasing an inadequate supply of milk (Phillips, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Blood and milk prolactin and the rate of milk synthesis in women

Cox¹,

Owens²,

Hartmann³

1996

Experimental Physiology

135

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYIn women, the concentration of prolactin in the plasma increases in response to nipple stimulation. This response has led to the assumption that prolactin influences the rate of milk synthesis. To investigate this hypothesis we have measured 24 h milk production, the short-term (between breastfeeds) rates of milk synthesis and the concentration of prolactin in the blood and breastmilk, from 1 to 6 months of lactation in eleven women. Over the long term, the 24 h milk production remained constant (means + S.E.M.): 708 + 54-7 g/24 h (n = 11) and 742 + 79-4 g/24 h (n = 9) at 1 and 6 months, respectively. The average short-term rate of milk synthesis (calculated from the increase in breast volume between breastfeeds; means + S.E.M.) did not change: 23 + 3 5 ml/h (n = 23) and 23 + 3 4 ml/h (n = 21) at 1 and 6 months, respectively. However, significant variation in the short-term rate of milk synthesis (from <5-8 to 90 ml/h) was found both between breasts, measured concurrently (coefficient of variation, c.v. = 72 %), and within the same breast, measured over consecutive breastfeeds (c.v. = 85 %). The basal and suckling-stimulated concentrations of prolactin in the plasma (means + S.E.M.) declined from 1 to 6 months (basal, from 119 + 93 to 59 + 29 ,ug/l; peak, from 286 + 109 to 91 + 44 ug/1). In contrast, the concentration of prolactin in milk was much lower than in plasma, and decreased only slightly from 1 to 6 months of lactation (fore-milk, from 26.4 + 10 to 23 3 + 988ug/l; hind-milk, from 18-9 + 5.1 to 13 2 + 6-3 jtg/l). The concentration of prolactin in the milk was related to the degree of fullness of the breast, such that the concentration was highest when the breast was full. We found no relationship between the concentration of prolactin in the plasma and the rate of milk synthesis in either the short or long term. However, the relationship between the concentration of prolactin in milk and the degree of fullness of the breast suggests that the internalization of prolactin, after binding to its receptor, may be restricted when the alveolus is distended with milk.

show abstract

Section: Plasma Prolactin and Milk Synthesiscontrasting

confidence: 55%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood and milk prolactin and the rate of milk synthesis in women

Cox¹,

Owens²,

Hartmann³

1996

Experimental Physiology

135

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, many questions regarding the relationship between variation in breastfeeding behavior and variation in ovarian function remain unanswered (Masnick, 1979;Lunn, 1992;Vitzthum, 1989Vitzthum, , 1995McNeilly, 1993). In particular, women of seemingly comparable breastfeeding magnitude display marked heterogeneity in the duration of post-partum subfecundity (Perez et al, 1972;Gross and Eastman, 1983;Knauer, 1984;Stern et al, 1986;Huffman et al, 1987;Shaaban et al, 1987;Rivera et al, 1988;Diaz, 1989;da Silva et al, 1989;Gray et al, 1990;Guz and Hobcraft, 1991;Lewis et al, 1991;Fink et al, 1992;Fitzgerald, 1992;Mc-Neilly, 1993;Worthman et al, 1993). Thus it is currently recommended (Hatcher et al, 1990) that American women begin contraceptive use within 6 weeks postpartum, if not immediately, as it remains uncertain which suckling patterns under what conditions may act as an effective natural contraceptive.…”

Section: Yearbook Of Physical Anthropologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative study of breastfeeding structure and its relation to human reproductive ecology

Vitzthum

1994

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although a controversial issue in the not distant past, it is now well established that breastfeeding is the primary factor mediating post-partum subfecundity. This complex interaction between behavior and physiology is a central research focus in several fields sharing a common concern with the mechanisms that regulate human reproduction. Despite the demonstrated linkage between lactation and return of the first postpartum menses, many questions regarding the relationship between variation in breastfeeding behavior and variation in ovarian function remain unanswered. In particular, women of seemingly comparable breastfeeding magnitude display substantial heterogeneity in the duration of post-partum subfecundity. In addition, the hormonal mechanisms by which lactation regulates ovarian function remain unclear, and the debates regarding the contribution of factors other than breastfeeding to post-partum subfecundity continue unresolved. Part of the difficulty in addressing these questions derives from the use of disparate methodological approaches and a n absence of specificity in analytical units. In particular, maternal recall of breastfeeding behavior is subject to substantial bias yet is the data source for most analyses. In addition, although a growing body of evidence suggests that variation in breastfeeding structure may contribute to variation in ovarian function, most studies fail to distinguish or evaluate the different components of suckling behavior. Elucidating the bases of this variation amongst women and populations requires disentangling the roles of the environment, culture, and behavior in structuring suckling activity. Anthropologists in particular have a n opportunity to achieve significant insights into the ecology of human breastfeeding and reproduction. An impressive body of research has firmly established that breastfeeding is the major determinant of post-partum amenorrhea (e.g., Perez et al., 1971;Berman et al., 1972;van Ginneken, 1977;Wenlock, 1977;Konner and Worthman, 1980;Jain and Bongaarts, 1981;Bracher and Santow, 1982;Howie and McNeilly, 1982;Hennart et al., 1985;Rivera et al., 1985;Diaz, 1989;Glasier, 1989;Gray et al., 1990). These investigations were initially prompted by the hypothesis that variation in lactation might contribute to fertility differences among populations (Gioiosa, 1955;Henry, 1961;Tietze, 1961), a suggestion contrary to the then prevailing biomedical position, which dismissed any purported effects of nursing on conception.0 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [Vol. 37, 1994 Investigations of lactation now occupy a central position in the study of human fecundity and fertility in several fields. Ecologists seek to understand how the human reproductive system has evolved and how women partition energy to the competing demands of production and reproduction. Of particular interest is the selective advantage that may exist in delaying effort in the production of more offspring (Frisch, 1978;Quandt, 1984;Blurton Jones, 1986;Ellison, 1990Ellison, , 1991Peacock, 1990 Pea...

show abstract

“…There are now several studies which more accurately define the factors involved in the contraceptive action of breast feeding. These studies are longitudinal, prospective trials looking closely at the sequence of events in individual women, and examining the interrelationship between suckling, ovulation and hormonal profiles (Howie et al 1981, Gross & Eastman 1983, Wood et al 1985.…”

Section: Breast Feeding and Birth Spacingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The total suckling time is important. Studies from different populations, including Scotland (Howie et al 1981), Australia (Gross & Eastman 1983) and the Kalahari (Konner 1979) show that mothers who feed very frequently, up to 48 times per day, also feed for very short periods. Mothers who feed 6-7 times per day, in contrast, may feed for 30-40 minutes per feed.…”

Section: The Duration Of Each Breastfeedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breast feeding, fertility and child health: a review of international issues

Houston

1986

Journal of Advanced Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Breast feeding is of central importance to child survival, growth and development, especially in non-industrialized countries. It also protects the mother against further pregnancy. In the light of the increase in the world's population, the implications of the decrease in breast feeding worldwide are serious. There is a direct association between child health and survival and breast feeding. In this paper, the contraceptive effect of breast feeding is reviewed. The emphasis is on families in non-industrialized societies. The importance of suckling frequency and duration, and the timing of introduction of supplementary foods to the baby, are discussed. Limitations of the method, and recommendations to maximize its effectiveness, are given. It is noted that protection of breast feeding both as a means of improving child health and of spacing births will require positive action at local and at governmental levels.

show abstract

Effect of breastfeeding status on prolactin secretion and resumption of menstruation

Cited by 16 publications

References 0 publications

Blood and milk prolactin and the rate of milk synthesis in women

Blood and milk prolactin and the rate of milk synthesis in women

Comparative study of breastfeeding structure and its relation to human reproductive ecology

Breast feeding, fertility and child health: a review of international issues

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About