title: Relationships among plasma zinc, plasma prolactin, milk transfer, and milk zinc in lactating women.
abstract: The objective was to analyze interrelationships among plasma zinc (PZ), plasma prolactin (PRL), milk transfer, and milk zinc from a longitudinal study of lactating women with a range of zinc intakes. Sixteen of 26 women received a 15 mg/d zinc supplement, resulting in a significant increase in total zinc intake compared with nonsupplemented participants (P<.001). No significant differences in key variables were observed between the zinc-supplemented and non-zinc-supplemented women; data were thus combined. An inverse trend between PRL and PZ was observed at 0.5 (r=-.36, P=.08) and 7 months (r=-.38, P=.06). Correlations between PRL at 0.5 months and at 3, 5, and 7 months were significant (r>.50, P<.01). PRL concentrations and milk transfer were positively correlated at 5 (r=.67, P<.001) and 7 months (r=.53, P<.01), consistent with PRL role in lactation maintenance. Studies including zinc-deficient lactating women are required to clarify the interrelationships between zinc status and PRL secretion.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver 80262, USA.
authors.forename: Caitlin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Nancy F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Westcott
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D011388:Prolactin; D015032:Zinc