Low maternal but normal fetal prolactin levels in cigarette smoking pregnant women

Abstract

In the 36th week of pregnancy, levels of serum prolactin (PRL) (p less than 0.01) and estriol (p less than 0.05) were significantly lower in 101 consecutive women smoking 10 cigarettes or more per day, compared with a control group of 104 non-smoking pregnant women. Cord serum PRL was not related to maternal smoking habits, whereas estriol was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in the infants of smokers, compared with the control group. The lower PRL levels in cigarette-smoking pregnant women may be due either to a direct effect of nicotine or secondary to lower estrogen levels, and the finding may be of clinical importance in relation to lactation.

PIP: In the 36th week of pregnancy, levels of serum prolactin (PRL. p 9.01) and estriol (p 0.05) were significantly lower in 101 consecutive women smoking 10 cigarettes or more/day, compared with a control group of 104 nonsmoking pregnant women. Cord serum PRL was not related to maternal smoking habits, whereas estriol was significantly (p 0.05) lower in the infants of smokers, compared with the control group. The lower PRL levels in cigarette-smoking pregnant women may be due to either a direct effect of nicotine or secondary to lower estrogen levels, and the finding may be of clinical inportance in relation to lactation.