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HUMAN α‐LACTALBUMIN AND HORMONAL FACTORS IN PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
Author(s) -
MARTIN R. H.,
GLASS M. R.,
CHAPMAN C.,
WILSON G. D.,
WOODS K. L.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1980.tb01046.x
Subject(s) - prolactin , lactation , endocrinology , medicine , lactalbumin , hormone , pregnancy , alpha (finance) , postpartum period , alpha lactalbumin , gestation , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction , genetics
SUMMARY Serum α‐lactalbumin was monitored throughout pregnancy in twelve women and in a separate group of nineteen women during the first 3 months postpartum. During pregnancy α‐lactalbumin rose significantly until the mid trimester ( P < 0·001). From then until term, concentrations remained stable. Concentrations during labour were significantly higher ( P < 0·01) than those seen at term, α‐lactalbumin, 17β‐oestradiol and progesterone concentrations behaved similarly during the first week of the puerperium in both lactating ( n = 10) and non‐lactating ( n = 9) subjects. A large surge of α‐lactalbumin closely followed the clearance of high circulating concentrations of sex steroids in both groups. Prolactin concentrations were significantly greater ( P < 0·02) in lactating subjects by the third postpartum day. By the third postpartum week α‐lactalbumin concentrations in lactating subjects had stabilized at labour levels in a milieu of high prolactin levels and depressed production on 17β‐oestradiol and progesterone. Conversely, in non‐lactating subjects α‐lactalbumin concentrations fell, as did prolactin, coincidental with a rise in 17β‐oestradiol, progesterone concentrations remaining barely detectable. The apparent control mechanisms for human α‐lactalbumin secretion and thus, lactation, are discussed in the light of the data presented.