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Chemical structure of progesterone, a key hormone in the onset of lactation. Clinically, obstetricians may look for biomarkers to determine the onset of lactation. Some common biomarkers for the determination of secretory activation include: A drop in progesterone levels; [8] Increase in blood flow, oxygen and glucose uptake; [8]
However, lactation is hindered by the elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone during this period. The rapid decline in estrogen and progesterone after childbirth enables lactation to begin. While breastfeeding, prolactin suppresses gonadotropin secretion, potentially delaying ovulation.
After the luteal-placental shift, progesterone levels start to rise further and may reach 100 to 200 ng/mL at term. Whether a decrease in progesterone levels is critical for the initiation of labor has been argued and may be species-specific. After delivery of the placenta and during lactation, progesterone levels are very low. [citation needed]
Like progesterone, high levels of estrogen also inhibit lactation. Estrogen levels also drop at delivery and remain low for the first several months of breastfeeding. [6] Breastfeeding mothers should avoid estrogen based birth control methods, as a spike in estrogen levels may reduce a mother's milk supply.
Elevated levels of progesterone and estrogen mediate most of the functional changes of the GI system during pregnancy. Progesterone causes smooth muscle relaxation which slows down GI motility and decreases lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone. The resulting increase in intragastric pressure combined with lower LES tone leads to the ...
Progesterone prepares the endometrium for implantation, as the level of progesterone increases, the capillaries grow. [10] These capillaries spread throughout the granulosa layer of cells which promotes vascularization and blood flow in the endometrium, ensuring an adequate blood supply to the developing placenta and fetus. [ 10 ]
High levels of progesterone, which are associated with pregnancy, inhibits prolactin and therefore lactation. [30] Prolactin increases during the initial stages of lactation and can be stimulated by estrogen but not progesterone. [30] Research, however, focuses on the role of prolactin for breastfeeding and less on other behaviors. [30]
During pregnancy, the level of prolactin rises to trigger the development of mammary tissue in the breast to prepare it for milk supply. [17] Yet, due to high levels of progesterone and oestrogen, which are female hormones released from the placenta, milk production is prohibited until the removal of the placenta after labour.