Sammendrag
Introduction
Oxytocin is a key hormone in breastfeeding. No recent review on plasma levels of oxytocin
in response to breastfeeding is available.
Materials and methods
Systematic literature searches on breastfeeding induced oxytocin levels were conducted
2017 and 2019 in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Data on oxytocin linked
effects and effects of medical interventions were included if available.
Results
We found 29 articles that met the inclusion criteria. All studies had an exploratory design
and included 601 women. Data were extracted from the articles and summarised in tables.
Breastfeeding induced an immediate and short lasting (20 minutes) release of oxytocin. The
release was pulsatile early postpartum (5 pulses/10 minutes) and coalesced into a more
protracted rise as lactation proceeded. Oxytocin levels were higher in multiparous versus
primiparous women. The number of oxytocin pulses during early breastfeeding was associated
with greater milk yield and longer duration of lactation and was reduced by stress.
Breastfeeding-induced oxytocin release was associated with elevated prolactin levels;lowered ACTH and cortisol (stress hormones) and somatostatin (a gastrointestinal hormone)
levels; enhanced sociability; and reduced anxiety, suggesting that oxytocin induces
physiological and psychological adaptations in the mother. Mechanical breast pumping, but
not bottle-feeding was associated with oxytocin and prolactin release and decreased stress
levels. Emergency caesarean section reduced oxytocin and prolactin release in response to
breastfeeding and also maternal mental adaptations. Epidural analgesia reduced prolactin
and mental adaptation, whereas infusions of synthetic oxytocin increased prolactin and
mental adaptation. Oxytocin infusion also restored negative effects induced by caesarean
section and epidural analgesia.
Conclusions
Oxytocin is released in response to breastfeeding to cause milk ejection, and to induce
physiological changes to promote milk production and psychological adaptations to facilitate
motherhood. Stress and medical interventions during birth may influence these effects and
thereby adversely affect the initiation of breastfeeding.
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