<specifically Domperidone which increases prolactin levels (as does
metoclopramide).>

I have begun to reread a prolactin reference that is giving me a better
insight. (I am only on page10, and it is 43 pages long!) (even though I
notice that the author's address at that time was the Medical Department,
Ross Laboratories, I'm reading it with an open mind.)

Ostrom K M, "A Review of the Hormone Prolactin During Lactation",
Progress in Food and Nutrition Science, Vol. 14, pp. 1-44, 1990.

"Prolactin release is episodic, follows a circadian rhythm and is
responsive to stress. . . . .Factors which affect prolactin release are
pregnancy, lactation, stress, sleep, hypothyroidism, estrogen, exercise,
hypoglycemia and breast stimulation, in order of their effect."

It is not that these drugs (such as Reglan) increase prolactin, but that
they decrease dopamine, which is a prolactin inhibiting factor.

"When freed from the negative control of dopamine, the pituitary secretes
prolactin autonomously."

"Blood sampling can produce a stress effect and increase prolactin
values." Funny, I at first reading, didn't catch this. I sort of imagined
it would work the other way around.

Prolactin is decribed as a permissive hormone for continued lactation.

It takes me a long time to digest even the simplest parts of such complex
articles, but I am having fun with my highlighter.

(Some people bowl. Others do ceramics. My hobby seems to be reading about
the anatomy and physiology of lactation.)

Jean
***************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA

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