Abstract
The objective was to analyze interrelationships among plasma zinc (PZ), plasma prolactin (PRL), milk transfer, and milk zinc from a longitudinal study of lactating women with a range of zinc intakes. Sixteen of 26 women received a 15 mg/d zinc supplement, resulting in a significant increase in total zinc intake compared with nonsupplemented participants (P < .001). No significant differences in key variables were observed between the zinc-supplemented and non—zinc-supplemented women; data were thus combined. An inverse trend between PRL and PZ was observed at 0.5 (r = −.36, P = .08) and 7 months (r = −.38, P = .06). Correlations between PRL at 0.5 months and at 3, 5, and 7 months were significant (r > .50, P < .01). PRL concentrations and milk transfer were positively correlated at 5 (r = .67, P < .001) and 7 months (r = .53, P < .01), consistent with PRL role in lactation maintenance. Studies including zinc-deficient lactating women are required to clarify the interrelationships between zinc status and PRL secretion. J Hum Lact. 23(2): 179-183.
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