Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents
Published on: June 10, 2013
Hormonal control of sodium content in human milk
Abstract:
The possible role of prolactin (PRL) and aldosterone (Aldo) in regulation of Na content of human milk was investigated. Simultaneous determinations of Na and K in milk, PRL and Aldo in maternal plasma and milk were performed on postpartum days 2, 4 and 6, in samples from 15 mothers giving birth at term and from 8 mothers giving preterm birth. Na concentration and Na/K ratio in milk, Aldo concentration in milk and maternal plasma decreased significantly with advancing lactation. In preterm plasma and milk PRL concentration remained unchanged, whereas in term plasma PRL decreased, milk PRL increased significantly by the 6th day post partum. After preterm delivery milk Na and K levels were significantly higher, maternal plasma and milk Aldo slightly lower than after delivery at term. Daily Aldo and PRL excretion into the milk markedly increased during lactation irrespective of the length of gestation and showed a significant negative correlation with milk Na level and Na/K ratio. It is suggested that the increasing rate of Aldo and PRL excretion into the milk may be of importance in the regulation of Na concentration in human milk.
More Related Videos
09:12Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding
Published on: November 14, 2018
04:16Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings
Published on: February 7, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Hormonal Regulation
Hormonal Regulation
Regulation of Hormone Secretion
Humoral stimuli,...
Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction while...
Regulation of Sodium and Potassium
Sodium Regulation
Sodium ions make up approximately 90% of extracellular cations, with a normal blood plasma concentration of 136–148 mEq/L. A decrease in blood volume and pressure triggers the release of renin from granular cells in the juxtaglomerular complex (JGC), primarily in...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.