ABNORMAL PROLACTIN LEVELS AND PITUITARY-GONADAL AXIS IN THE PUERPERIUM

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (6) , 725-729
Abstract
To investigate the influence of breast-feeding and prolactin [PRL] secretion on the pituitary-gonadal function, 3 different groups of patients were studied during the first 8 wk of the puerperium. Group A comprised patients with hyperprolactinemia and secondary amenorrhea who conceived while on a regimen of bromocriptine. Group B was composed of normal lactating women. Group C comprised nonlactating women treated with bromocriptine. Group A patients had a normal decline in serum PRL levels during the early postpartum period, but serum PRL remained completely unaltered after clearance of placental estradiol. In group B suckling increased serum PRL and suppressed luteinizing hormone. This pattern was not seen in group A. Group C patients had a rapid postpartum normalization of the pituitary-gonadal axis. In relation to lactation the pituitary function is rather autonomous in hyperprolactinemic patients.

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