Possible role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on prolactin release during suckling in lactating women.
The effect of suckling on plasma vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) values was evaluated in 6 nursing women on the 3rd to 4th day postpartum. Plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations were also measured. Plasma VIP values (20.6 +/- 3.2 pg/ml in baseline) significantly (p less than 0.05) increased, reaching a maximum (53.5 +/- 10.9 pg/ml) 20 min after the starting of suckling. A possible role of VIP in the suckling-induced PRL release in humans cannot be excluded.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
E
E
Rolandi
N
N
Ragni
R
R
Fanceschini
P L
PL
Venturini
V
V
Messina
T
T
Barreca
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013391:Sucking Behavior; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D011388:Prolactin