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HORMONAL PROFILES IN LACTATING AND NON‐LACTATING WOMEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO BREAST ENGORGEMENT
Author(s) -
West Christine P.,
McNeilly A. S.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1979.tb10800.x
Subject(s) - prolactin , medicine , estrone , endocrine system , hormone , human placental lactogen , endocrinology , breast feeding , breast milk , obstetrics , pregnancy , physiology , placenta , biology , fetus , biochemistry , pediatrics , genetics
Summary Prolactin, human placental lactogen (HPL), oestrone, oestradiol and progesterone levels in plasma were measured before and during the first seven days after delivery in women who did not breast feed. The results confirmed the rapid clearance of placental steroids from the circulation after delivery. Plasma prolactin levels remained elevated during the early puerperium and the range of values were the same in non breast‐feeding women and a group of breast feeding women. Of the 25 women studied, six developed breast engorgement. No difference in hormonal profiles were found leading to the conclusion that there is no endocrine basis for breast engorgement in non‐breast feeding women.