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THE PROLACTIN RESPONSE TO SUCKLING
Author(s) -
GLASIER ANNA,
MCNEILLY A. S.,
HOWIE P. W.
Publication year - 1984
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.1365-2265.1984.tb03449.x
Subject(s) - prolactin , medicine , endocrinology , basal (medicine) , secretion , lactation , breast feeding , biology , hormone , pregnancy , pediatrics , insulin , genetics
SUMMARY Changes in prolactin concentration during single suckling episodes in twenty breast‐feeding women from four to 40 weeks post partum have been investigated. Basal prolactin concentration and the increase in prolactin secretion in response to single suckling episodes and amount of milk taken by the infant were both independent of time post partum until the introduction of supplementary feeds, when a significant decrease with time was apparent. Basal concentrations of prolactin were dependent upon the interval between suckling episodes, and the magnitude of the prolactin response varied with the time of day when suckling took place. The relationship between acute suckling episodes and the long term pattern of prolactin secretion over time post partum is discussed.