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CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATION OF CORTISOL IN MILK DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF HUMAN LACTATION
Author(s) -
Kulski JK,
Hartmann PE
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
australian journal of experimental biology and medical science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0004-945X
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1981.66
Subject(s) - lactation , endocrinology , medicine , zoology , biology , pregnancy , genetics
Summary A study was undertaken to determine by radioimmunoassay the changes in concentrations of cortisol in the mammary secretion of individual women during late pregnancy, lactogenesis established lactation and after cessation of breast‐feeding. The concentration of cortisol In colostrum averaged 7·5% of that found in serum during late pregnancy. The concentration of cortisol (mean ± S.E.M.) was relatively high in the mammary secretions during late pregnancy (25·5 ± 1·8 ng/ml) and decreased within 2 days after delivery (10·2 ± 20 ng/ml) to reach low values by 10 days post partum (1·8 ± 0·7 ng/ml.) During advanced lactation the cortisol values varied between 0·2 to 32 ng/ml but the mean concentration was significantly (p < 0·05) less (7·2 ± 0·8 ng/ml. n = 75) than during late pregnancy, With the abrupt termination of breast‐feeding, the concentration of cortisol generally increased above the values determined during established lactation, but, even during involution, the progressive changes in concentration varied markedly (range 0·5–40·0 ng/ml). The function of milk cortisol for the newborn is not known. However, it is possible that cortisol in breast milk may help lo control the transport of fluids and salts from the gastrointestinal tract of infants.