HUMAN α‐LACTALBUMIN AND HORMONAL FACTORS IN PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Serum α‐lactalbumin was monitored throughout pregnancy in twelve women and in a separate group of nineteen women during the first 3 months postpartum. During pregnancy α‐lactalbumin rose significantly until the mid trimester (P < 0·001). From then until term, concentrations remained stable. Concentrations during labour were significantly higher (P < 0·01) than those seen at term, α‐lactalbumin, 17β‐oestradiol and progesterone concentrations behaved similarly during the first week of the puerperium in both lactating (n= 10) and non‐lactating (n= 9) subjects. A large surge of α‐lactalbumin closely followed the clearance of high circulating concentrations of sex steroids in both groups. Prolactin concentrations were significantly greater (P < 0·02) in lactating subjects by the third postpartum day.By the third postpartum week α‐lactalbumin concentrations in lactating subjects had stabilized at labour levels in a milieu of high prolactin levels and depressed production on 17β‐oestradiol and progesterone. Conversely, in non‐lactating subjects α‐lactalbumin concentrations fell, as did prolactin, coincidental with a rise in 17β‐oestradiol, progesterone concentrations remaining barely detectable. The apparent control mechanisms for human α‐lactalbumin secretion and thus, lactation, are discussed in the light of the data presented.