Decrease in human plasma prolactin levels by oral prostaglandin E2 in early puerperium.
Eight milligrams of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 2 mg every 30 min) were given orally to 12 puerperal women on day 4 after delivery. Plasma levels of prolactin showed a significant decrease in comparison with basal levels and with those of controls sampled over a similar period. The same dose of PGE2 was ineffective in modifying the plasma prolactin levels in four puerperal women on day 30 after delivery and in four non-pregnant women with normal levels of prolactin. It is suggested that a PGE2-induced decrease in prolactin could be mediated by hypothalamic dopaminergic neurones.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011388:Prolactin