Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Natural Human Fertility pp 102–117Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Lactation and the Return of Ovulation

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Studies in Biology, Economy and Society ((SBES))

Abstract

Worldwide, breast feeding is associated with a reduction in fertility which is of major demographic importance (Rosa, 1975). However, there is considerable variation in the length of the period during which breast feeding suppresses fertility, both within and between societies. Recent studies have shown that it is the suckling stimulus itself which suppresses ovarian activity and the reason for the variability in the infertile period and is due almost entirely to variations in the strength of the suckling stimulus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Andersen, A.N. and Schøler, V. (1982) ‘Influence of Breast-feeding Pattern on Pituitary-ovarian Axis of Women in an Industrialized Community’, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaeco., vol. 143, pp. 673–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andreassen, B. and Tyson, J.E. (1976) ‘Role of the Hypothalamic-pituitary -ovarian Axis in Puerperal Infertility’, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabo., vol. 42, pp. 1114–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baird, D.T., McNeilly, A.S., Sawers, R.S. and Sharpe, R.M. (1979) ‘Failure of Oestrogen Induced Discharge of Luteinizing Hormone in Lactating Women’, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabo., vol. 49, pp. 500–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J.B., Harrison, P. and Smith, M.A. (1985). ‘A Study of Returning Fertility after Childbirth and During Lactation by Measurement of Urinary Oestrogen and Pregnanediol Secretion and Cervical Mucus Production’, Journal of Biosociety, Science, Supple., vol. 9, pp. 5–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronin, T.J. (1968) ‘Influence of Lactation Upon Ovulation’, La., vol. 2, pp. 422–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowley, W.F. Jr., Filicori, M., Spratt, D.I. and Santoro, N.F. (1985) ‘The Physiology of Gonadotrophin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Secretion in Men and Women’, Recent Progres’s in Hormone Rese., vol. 41, pp. 473–526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delvoye, P., Delogne-Desnoeck, J. and Robyn, C. (1980) Hyperprolactinaemia During Prolonged Lactation: Evidence for Anovulatory Cycles and Inadequate Corpus Luteum, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 13, pp. 243–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delvoye, P., Badawi, M., Demaegd, M. and Robyn, C. (1978) Serum Prolactin, Gonadotrophins and Estradiol in Menstruating and Amenorrhoeic Women during Two Years of Lactation, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaeco., vol. 130, pp. 635–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewart, P.J., McNeilly, A.S., Smith, S.K., Sandow, J. and Fraser, H.M. (1986) ‘LHRH Agonist Buserelin as a Post-partum Contraceptive: Lack of Biological Activity of Buserelin in Breast Milk’, Acta Endocrinolog. (In Press.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duchen, M.R. and McNeilly, A.S. (1980) ‘Hyperprolactinaemia and Longterm Lactational Amenorrhoea’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 12, pp. 621–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, H.M. (1982) ‘New Prospects for Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone as a Contraceptive and Therapeutic Agent, British Medical Jou., vol. 285, pp. 990–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frisch, R.E. (1985) Maternal Nutrition and Lactational Amenorrhoea: Perceiving the Metabolic Costs’, in J. Dobbing (ed.), Maternal Nutrition and Lactational Inferti., pp. 65–78. (New York: Vevey/Raven Press.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Glasier, A., McNeilly, A.S. and Baird, D.T. (1986) ‘Induction of Ovarian Activity by Pulsatile Infusion LHRH in Women with Lactational Amenorrhoea’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 24, pp. 243–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glasier, A., McNeilly, A.S. and Howie, P.W. (1983) ‘Fertility after Childbirth: Changes in Serum Gonadotrophin Levels in Bottle and Breast Feeding Women’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 24, pp. 243–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glasier, A., McNeilly, A.S. and Howie, P.W. (1984) ‘Pulsatile Secretion of LH in Relation to the Resumption of Ovarian Activity Post Partum’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 19, pp. 493–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, B.A. and Eastman, C.J. (1985). ‘Prolactin and the Return of Ovulation in Breast-feeding Women’, Journal of Biosocial Science, Supple., vol. 9, pp. 25–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hennart, P., Hofvander, Y., Vis, H. and Robyn, C. (1985) ‘Comparative Study of Nursing Mothers in Africa (Zaire) and in Europe (Sweden): Breast-feeding Behaviour, Nutritional Status, Lactational Hyperprolactinaemia and Status of the Menstrual Cycle’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 22, pp. 179–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howie, P.W. and McNeilly, A.S. (1982) ‘Effect of Breast Feeding Patterns on Human Birth Intervals’, Journal of Reproduction and Ferti., vol. 65, pp. 545–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howie, P.W., McNeilly, A.S., Houston, M.J., Cook, A. and Boyle, H. (1981) ‘Effect of supplementary food on suckling patterns and ovarian activity during lactation’, British Medical Jou., vol. 283, pp. 757–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howie, P.W., McNeilly, A.S., Houston, M.J., Cook, A. and Boyle, H. (1982) ‘Fertility after Child Birth: Post Partum Ovulation and Menstruation in Bottle and Breast Feeding Mothers’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 17, pp. 323–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howie, P.W., McNeilly, A.S., McArdle, T., Smart, L. and Houston, M.J. (1980) ‘The Relationship Between Suckling-induced Prolactin Response and Lactogenesis’, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabo., vol. 50, pp. 670–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howie, P.W., Payne, M.R., Mamie, M., Cooper, W. and McNeilly, A.S. (1986) ‘Progestagen-only Contraception during Lactation’, Contracept. (In Press.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Illingworth, P.J., Jung, R.T., Howie, P.W., Leslie, P. and Isles, T.E. (1986) ‘Diminution in Energy Expenditure during Lactation’, British Medical Jou., vol. 292, pp. 437–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Konner, M. and Worthman, C. (1980) ‘Nursing Frequency, Gonadal Function and Birth Spacing among !Kung Hunter Gatherers’, Sci., vol. 207, pp. 788–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln, D.W., Fraser, H.M., Lincoln, G.A., Martin, G.B. and McNeilly, A.S. (1985) ‘Hypothalamic pulse generators’, Recent Progress in Hormone Rese., vol. 41, pp. 369–411.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loudon, A.I., McNeilly, A.S. and Milne, J.A. (1983) ‘Nutrition and Lactational Control of Fertility in Red Deer’, Na., vol. 302, pp. 145–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lunn, P.G. (1985) ‘Maternal Nutrition and Lactational Infertility: the Baby in the Driving Seat’, in J. Dobbing (ed.), Maternal Nutrition and Lactational Inferti., pp. 41–53. (New York: Vevey/Raven Press.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunn, P.G., Prentice, A.M., Austin, S. and Whitehead, R.G. (1980) ‘Influence of Maternal Diet on Plasma-prolactin Levels During Lactation’, La., vol. 1, pp. 623–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNeilly, A.S. (1977) ‘Physiology of Human Lactation’, Journal of Biosocial Science Supple., vol. 4, pp. 5–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNeilly, A.S. (1979) ‘Effects of Lactation on Fertility’, British Medical Bull., vol. 35, pp. 151–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeilly, A.S. (1984) ‘Prolactin and Ovarian Function’, in E.E. Miller and R.M. MacLeod (eds), Neuroendocrine Perspect. 3, pp. 279–316. (Amsterdam: Elsevier Biomedical Press.)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • McNeilly, A.S., Glasier, A. and Howie, P.W. (1985) ‘Endocrine Control of Lactational Infertility’, in J. Dobbing (ed.), Maternal Nutrition and Lactational Inferti., pp. 1–16. (New York: Vevey/Raven Press.)

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeilly, A.S., Glasier, A.F., Howie, P.W., Houston, M.J., Cook, A. and Boyle, H. (1983) ‘Fertility after Childbirth: Pregnancy Associated with Breast Feeding’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 19, pp. 167–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNeilly, A.S., Howie, P.W. and Houston, M.J. (1980) ‘Relationships of Feeding Patterns, Prolactin and Resumption of Ovulation Post Partum’, in G.I. Zatuchni, M.H. Labok and J.J. Sciarra (eds), Research Frontiers in Fertility Regula., pp. 102–116. (New York: Harper and Row.)

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeilly, A.S. Howie, P.W., Houston, M.J., Cook, A. and Boyle, H. (1982) ‘Fertility After Childbirth: Adequacy of Post-partum Luteal Phases’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 17, pp. 609–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madden, J.D., Boyar, R.M., MacDonald, P.C. and Porter, J.C. (1978) ‘Analysis of Secretory Patterns of Prolactin and Gonadotrophins during 24 hours in a Lactating Woman Before and After Resumption of Menses’, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaeco., vol. 132, pp. 436–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattioli, M., Conte, F., Graleati, G. and Seren, E. (1986) ‘Effect of Naloxone on Plasma Concentrations of Prolactin and LH in Lactating Sows’, Journal of Reproduction and Ferti., vol. 76, pp. 167–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakano, R., Mori, A., Kayashima, F., Washio, M. and Tojo, S. (1975) Ovarian Response to Exogenously Administered Human Gonadotrophins During the Post Partum Period’, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaeco., vol. 121, pp. 187–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, M.R., Howie, P.W., Cooper, W., Mamie, M., Kidd, L. and McNeilly, A.S. (1985) ‘Sulpiride and the Potentiation of Progestagen-only Contraception’, British Medical Jou., vol. 291, pp. 559–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pelosi, M.A., Sama, J.C., Caterini, H. and Kaminetzky, H.A. (1974) American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaeco. vol. 118, pp. 966–70. ‘Galactorrhoea-amenorrhoea Syndrome Associated with Heroin Addiction’, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaeco., vol. 118, pp. 966–970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perez, A., Vela, P., Masnick, G.S. and Potter, R.G. (1972) ‘First Ovulation After Childbirth: the Effect of Breast Feeding’, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaeco., vol. 114, pp. 1041–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poindexter, A.N., Ritter, M.B. and Besch, P.K. (1983) ‘The Recovery of Normal Plasma Progesterone Levels in the Post-partum Female’, Fertility and Steri., vol. 39, pp. 494–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice-Wray, E., Beristain, I.I. and Cervantes, A. (1972) ‘Clinical Study of a Continuous Daily Micro-dose Progestogen Contraceptive-d-norgestrel’, Contracep., vol. 5, pp. 279–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivero, R., Ortiz, E., Barrera, M., Kennedy, K. and Bhiwandiwala, P. (1985) ‘Preliminary Observations on the Return of Ovarian Function Among Breast-feeding and Post-partum Non-breast Feeding Women in a Rural Area of Mexico,’ Journal of Biosocial Science Supple., vol. 9, pp. 127–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robyn, C. and Meuris, S. (1982) ‘Pituitary Prolactin, Lactational Performance and Puerperal Infertility’, Seminars in Perinato., vol. 6, pp. 254–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolland, R., Lequin, R.M., Schellekens, L.A. and DeJong, F.H. (1975) ‘The Role of Prolactin in Restoration of Ovarian Function During the Early Post-partum Period in the Human Female. I. A Study During Physiological Lactation’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 4, pp. 15–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosa, F.W. (1975) ‘Breast-feeding in Family Planning’, PAG Bull., vol. 5, pp. 5–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirinathsinghji, D.J.S. and Martini, L. (1984) ‘Effects of Bromocriptine and Naloxone on Plasma Levels of Prolactin, LH and FSH During Suckling in the Female Rat: Responses to Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone, Journal of Endocrino., vol. 100, pp. 175–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, J.M., Konner, M., Herman, T.N. and Reichlin, S. (1986) ‘Nursing Behaviour, Prolactin and Post-partum Amenorrhoea During Prolonged Lactation in American and !Kung Mothers’, Clinical Endocrino., vol. 25, pp. 247–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyson, J.E., Carter, J.N., Andreassen, B., Huth, J. and Smith, B. (1978) ‘Nursing-mediated Prolactin and Luteinizing Hormone Secretion During Puerperal Lactation’, Fertility and Steri., vol. 30, pp. 154–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Udesky, I.C. (1950) ‘Ovulation in Lactating Women’, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gyneco., vol. 59, pp. 843–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, J.W., Lai, D., Johnson, P.L., Campbell, K.L. and Maslar, I.A. (1985) Lactation and Birth Spacing in Highland New Guinea’, Journal of Biosocial Sci., Supplement No. 9. pp. 59–173.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Alan S. McNeilly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. W. Howie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anna Glasier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. New Victoria Hospital, Kingston, UK

    Peter Diggory (Consultant Gynaecologist) (Consultant Gynaecologist)

  2. Family Health International, UK

    Malcolm Potts (President) (President)

  3. Medical Epidemiologist, UK

    Sue Teper

Copyright information

© 1988 The Eugenics Society

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

McNeilly, A.S., Howie, P.W., Glasier, A. (1988). Lactation and the Return of Ovulation. In: Diggory, P., Potts, M., Teper, S. (eds) Natural Human Fertility. Studies in Biology, Economy and Society. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09961-0_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation