Neuroendocrine Responses to Stressors in Lactating and Nonlactating Mammals: A Literature Review

Although stress research is a popular topic of study, little is known about the neuroendocrine responses to a stressor in lactating and nonlactating humans. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to examine the neuroendocrine responses, specifically the glucocorticoids and catec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological research for nursing 2003-10, Vol.5 (2), p.79-86
Main Authors: Hill, Pamela D., Chatterton, Robert T., Aldag, Jean C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute Disease
Animals
Catecholamines - physiology
Chronic Disease
Female
Forecasting
Glucocorticoids - physiology
Humans
Lactation - physiology
Mammals - physiology
Neurosecretory Systems - physiopathology
Nursing
Research - trends
Research Design
Stress, Physiological - physiopathology
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Summary:Although stress research is a popular topic of study, little is known about the neuroendocrine responses to a stressor in lactating and nonlactating humans. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to examine the neuroendocrine responses, specifically the glucocorticoids and catecholamines, in lactating and nonlactating animals and humans to an acute stressor. A brief overview of the physiological stress response in the human is included. Animal studies strongly suggest that lactation is associated with major changes in neuroendocrine responses to a variety of acute stressors. Neuroendocrine responses in humans to stressors are less clear due to the limited research. Future research is needed involving these responses in humans generally, as well as specifically in the patterns of neuroendocrine responses to chronic stressors in lactating and nonlactating women.
ISSN:1099-8004
1552-4175
DOI:10.1177/1099800403256494