Suppressed prolactin but normal neurophysin levels in cigarette smoking breast-feeding women.
The hormonal responses to breast-feeding were studied during the first 3 post-partum weeks in ten women smoking more than fifteen cigarettes/day and in a control group. Basal PRL levels were significantly lower in smokers compared with non-smokers, but suckling induced acute increments in serum PRL and oxytocin-linked neurophysin, which were not influenced by smoking. The lactational pattern was normal, but smokers weaned their babies significantly earlier compared with non-smokers. Heavy cigarette smoking women have lower basal PRL levels and this may shorten the period of lactation.
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009481:Neurophysins / Q000097:blood*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors
D009481:Neurophysins; D010121:Oxytocin; D011388:Prolactin