Abstract
STUDIES with rats have shown that during lactation there is an inhibition of luteinising hormone (LH)-dependent physiological events, such as implantation1, and a return to oestrus cyclicity2. This inhibition has been shown to occur only during the intense suckling phase and it has been correlated with the high levels of prolactin present in the circulation at this time. Although exogenous prolactin could substitute for the effects of intense suckling, it could do so only under the permissive influence of minimal suckling stimulus. We have shown that there is, in these conditions, a lowering of LH levels, and that this is due to interference by prolactin with the pituitary responsiveness to LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) (K. Muralidhar, R. M. and N. R. M., unpublished). Using the lactating monkey, we have now demonstrated a similar inhibitory effect of prolactin on pituitary responsiveness to LHRH, suggesting a mechanism by which amenorrhoeic conditions are maintained during lactation.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Maneckjee, R., and Moudgal, N. R., J. Reprod. Fert., 43, 33–40 (1975).
Maneckjee, R., and Moudgal, N. R., J. Reprod. Fert., 44, 313–315 (1975).
Prahalada, S., Mukku, V., Rao, A. J., and Moudgal, N. R., Contraception, 12, 137–147 (1975).
Moudgal, N. R., Moyle, W. R., and Greep, R. O., J. biol. Chem., 246, 4983–4986 (1971).
Moudgal, N. R., and Raj, H. G. M., in Methods of Hormone Radioimmunoassay 57–85 (Academic, New York, 1974).
Muralidhar, K., and Moudgal, N. R., Biochem. J. (in the press).
Bruce, H. M., Proc. R. Soc. Lond., B 149, 421–423 (1958).
Nicoll, C. S., and Meites, J., Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med., 101, 81–82 (1959).
Meites, J., and Nicoll, C. S., Endocrinology, 65, 572–579 (1959).
Jewelewicz, R., et. al., J. clin. Endocr. Metab., 39, 387 (1974).
Krey, L. C., et al. in Hypothalamic-Hypophysiotropic Hormones 39–47 (Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam, 1973).
Beling, C. G., et al., Acta Endocr. Suppl. 155, 40 (1971).
McNatty, K. P., Sawers, R. S., and McNeilly, A. S., Nature, 250, 653–655 (1974).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MANECKJEE, R., SRINATH, B. & MOUDGAL, N. Prolactin suppresses release of luteinising hormone during lactation in the monkey. Nature 262, 507–508 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/262507a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/262507a0
This article is cited by
-
Growth and reproductive parameters of bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)
Primates (1998)
-
Studies on ovarian quiescence in the lactating bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)
Journal of Biosciences (1985)
-
The ability of prolactin to change the sensitivity of the pituitary of the lactating rat to luteinising hormone releasing hormonein vitro
Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences (1978)
-
Impairment of luteinising-hormone release following oestrogen administration to hyperprolactinaemic ewes
Nature (1976)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
