Skip to main content

Prolactin the mothering hormone

Picture: Prolactin-secreting cells

Prolactin, often called the "mothering" hormone, is secreted in the anterior pituitary. During pregnancy prolactin is essential for complete lobular development in the breast. Prolactin levels rise from a non pregnant baseline of 10-25 ng/mL to 200-400 ng/mL at term Progesterone antagonism from the placenta enables the prolactin level to rise without subsequent milk production.
Progesterone interferes with prolactin's activity on the cell receptor sites in the alveoli of the breast.With the birth of the placenta, and the sudden drop in pregnancy hormones; progesterone and estrogen, the elevated prolactin level brings in the milk supply. Prolactin is released in pulses directly related to stimulation of the areola or breast. "For any hormone to exert its biologic effects, however, specific receptors for the hormone must be present in the target tissue " Frequent feeding in the early days increases the number of prolactin receptor sites within the breast. The implication from research is that "the controlling factor in breastmilk output is the number of prolactin receptors [in the breast] rather than the amount of serum prolactin " These prolactin receptors are laid down in the first 3 months postpartum. The prolactin receptors in the breast allow abundant milk production to continue when total baseline prolactin levels drop over the first 3 to 4 months. Even with more "normal" baseline levels, breast stimulation continues the doubling of the declining baseline prolactin levels into the second year .

The prolactin receptor site theory raises serious concern over progesterone laden birth control methods when started within days of the birth. Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) shots are often given immediately postpartum, while the mother is still in the hospital. If progesterone is an antagonist to prolactin, logic dictates that progesterone shots, implants and pills would inhibit early establishment of milk production. Elevated prolactin levels in the early days of lactation help milk and receptor site production. Each nursing produces a doubling in serum prolactin levels. Prolactin level naturally rises in sleep states Night nursings help maintain an elevated baseline prolactin level. Thus, it is unwise for a mother to skip breastfeedings at night (having someone else give bottles) if she wants to develop a good milk supply. Frequent prolactin release inhibits follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), causing lactational amenorrhea preventing the return of fertility Prolactin is biologically potent for the infant. Milk prolactin levels are highest in colostrum and transitional milk. In mature milk the highest prolactin concentration is in the foremilk. In the infant gut, prolactin effects fluid and electrolyte exchange in particular, sodium, potassium, and calcium.
#iamstillawoman #prolactin #breastfeeding #mothersmilk 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Hard nipples" - areola or nipple skin

Someone once wrote"... when i get really cold, or get goosebumbs all over my body, the whole things really scrunch up, like, my entire areola scrunches itself up into a wrinkled little mound. it looks really weird and ugly, and i haven't ever seen other people's breasts do it. what is wrong with my areola/nipples??" The answer: Well nothing is wrong. This is what my areola does too. It's a normal reaction to the coldness or to irritation / stimulation. The little muscles in the areola do a similar goosebump thing as your other skin can do. People often call this phenomenon "hard nipples". Also note that skin on areola has less feeling or sensation to it than other areas of your body. If the areola was very sensitive, then breastfeeding would probably be quite uncomfortable because the baby pulls and tugs it! The nipples are sensitive but the sensitivity changes with hormonal changes, such as occur at mestrual cycle or pregnancy. Also this v...
8 comments
Read more

Kate Jackson Breast Cancer a flash back

THE MOST MOMENTOUS CHANGE IN Kate Jackson's life began early one morning in January 1987, during her fourth season on the hit TV series Scarecrow and Mrs. King. After a phone call informed her that the show's taping was canceled because costar Bruce Boxleitner had the flu, Jackson went back to sleep. When she woke several hours later, "It was out of the blue, but perfectly clear," she recalls. "I sat up in bed and literally said, 'You have to have a mammogram.' " She did, and two days later a biopsy confirmed her vague fears: A minute growth found in her left breast was determined to be malignant. "I was forced to face, squared up, my own mortality," says Jackson. "I had to decide whether I wanted to live or to die. And if you choose life, as I did, it's never the same." For three TV seasons 16 years ago, she was famous as Sabrina Duncan, a girl-next-door gone glamorous and the character critics dubbed the brainiest o...
Post a Comment
Read more

The four stages of breast development

In Stage 1 shows the flat breasts of childhood. By Stage 2, breast buds are formed as milk ducts and fat tissue develop. In Stage 3, the breast become round and full, and the areola darkens. Stage 4 shows fully mature breasts. (Illustration by GGS Information Services.) period begins. Usually these signs are accompanied by the appearance of pubic hair and hair under the arms. Once ovulation and  menstruation  begin, the maturing of the breasts begins with the formation of secretory glands at the end of the milk ducts. The breasts and duct system continue to grow and mature with the development of many glands and lobules. The rate at which breasts grow varies significantly and is different for each young woman. Breast development occurs in five stages: Stage One: In preadolescence, the breasts are flat and only the tip of the nipple is raised. Stage Two: Buds appear, breast and nipple are raised, fat tissue begins to form and the areola (dark area of skin that ...
1 comment
Read more