[Behavior of prolactin, estradiol and ACTH in maternal blood in delivery by cesarean section].

The serum level of prolactin, estradiol (E2) and adrenocorticotropic hormones was determined pre-, intra- and postoperatively in 17 women with delivery by caesarean section. Three different anaesthetics were used before general anaesthesia and epidural anaesthesia. 9 women were able to nurse. Hormone levels of the nursing and non-nursing mothers were compared. An increased level of prolactin and significantly decreased of estradiol and adrenocorticotropic hormones was found in the nursing women postoperatively. The quotient of prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormones is significant. It increased in nursing women in the childbed and remained almost constant with absent lactation. There were no differences according to methods of anaesthesia in hormones levels and secretion of milk.