title: Plasma beta-endorphin concentrations during suckling in lactating women.
abstract: Beta-endorphin appears to be involved in the hormonal response to suckling in some animals. The peripheral secretory patterns of beta-endorphin, prolactin and cortisol were investigated in serial venous blood samples taken during suckling from eight healthy women who were breast-feeding on the third or fourth day of the puerperium. Plasma levels of prolactin and beta-endorphin increased significantly during suckling reaching a peak after 20 min, levels of cortisol remained unaffected. It is suggested that the increased beta-endorphin derives from an extra-hypophyseal source.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cataldi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barreca
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ragni
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rolandi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone