The hormonal responses to breast-feeding were studied during the first 3 post-partum weeks in ten women smoking more than fifteen cigarettes/day and in a control group. Basal PRL levels were significantly lower in smokers compared with non-smokers, but suckling induced acute increments in serum PRL and oxytocin-linked neurophysin, which were not influenced by smoking. The lactational pattern was normal, but smokers weaned their babies significantly earlier compared with non-smokers. Heavy cigarette smoking women have lower basal PRL levels and this may shorten the period of lactation.

Basal serum prolactin and serum oestradiol-17-beta concentrations were measured four times during one menstrual cycle in 20 women with severe cyclical mastalgia and normal to slightly fibroadenotic breasts. A group of 10 normal women who had never experienced mastalgia served as controls. Basal serum prolactin was significantly elevated in patients compared to normals, although within the normal range. Serum oestradiol concentrations did not differ in the two groups and were also within the normal range. A significant positive correlation between oestradiol and prolactin was found in patients and normals, but with larger prolactin levels in patients. The results point towards a prolactin secretory hypersensitivity for oestradiol in patients with cyclical mastalgia. Prolactin is considered a central factor in the eliciting of cyclical mastalgia.

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In 15 hyperprolactinaemic, infertile patients achieving 17 bromocriptine-induced pregnancies, the presence or absence of prolactin (Prl) increment in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy was correlated to the basal Prl levels before treatment and after pregnancy. The hyperprolactinaemic patients revealed a marked heterogeneity in the Prl increment compared to normal women. Five patients showed a pronounced increase in serum Prl during gestation, whereas Prl levels were unaltered or decreased slightly in 10 patients. In the latter group of patients serum Prl was significantly (P<0.01) lower after pregnancy than before treatment.Our study indicates that some hyperprolactinaemic patients may benefit from a pregnancy, and that these patients probably can be identified, as they do not show any significant changes in Prl levels during pregnancy.