Secretion of prolactin after acute and chronic stimulation of the breast: effect of timing during the menstrual cycle.
The effect of acute and chronic stimulation of the breast was studied in 11 nonpostpartum women in both follicular and luteal phases of menstruation. In no subject did an increase in secretion of prolactin (PRL) result from either solitary or multiple episodes of stimulation of the breast over 24 hours. After 2 weeks of stimulation, three patients noted increased secretion; however, on rechallenge, this was found to be the result of testing in luteal versus follicular phase, rather than of the stimulation of breast itself. We concluded that breast stimulation, either acute or chronic, had no appreciable impact on secretion of PRL, but, rather, the phase of menstruation may influence basal secretion of PRL. Normal ranges may have to be recalculated to take this into account after larger numbers of women are studied.
D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008598:Menstruation; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values
D011388:Prolactin