title: Maternal prolactin, cortisol, growth hormone and noradrenalin profiles during labor and following delivery.
abstract: Maternal prolactin, cortisol, growth hormone and noradrenalin levels were measured immediately before induced labor, during the expulsion stage and 60-90 min following delivery in 10 normal subjects between 38 and 41 wk of gestation. A significant reduction in prolactin levels was accompanied by a marked rise in cortisol and noradrenalin levels, indicating a paradoxical suppression of prolactin due to stress of labor. Growth hormone levels declined both during labor and following delivery, presumably as a result of anti-insulin actions of cortisol and noradrenalin.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine