Nursing Frequency, Gonadal Function, and Birth Spacing Among !Kung Hunter-Gatherers
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23359752 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Melvin Konner (0000-0001-8155-5339, Harvard University), Carol M Worthman (0000-0002-5397-2298, Harvard University), Carol Worthman (Harvard University) |
| Year | 1980 |
| Volume | 207 |
| Issue | 4432 |
| Pages | 788-791 |
| Publication date | 1980-02-15 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0036-8075 • E-ISSN: 0193-4511 |
| Publisher | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.7352291 |
| PMID | 7352291 |
| OpenAlex | W2070842533 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 158 |
| References cited | 27 |
Mothers among !Kung hunter-gatherers nurse briefly and frequently, with brief intervals between nursing bouts (mean ± standard error, 13.19 ± 1.28 minutes). The low levels of 17β-estradiol and progesterone in the serum of the mother are correlated with infant's age and with interbout interval, but not with total nursing time. Maternal gonadal function is apparently suppressed by a timing-dependent, prolactin-mediated effect of breast stimulation. Interbout interval may be a key variable in lactation infertility. If so, it solves the puzzle of !Kung birth spacing.
Biology · Breastfeeding · Hormone · Infertility · Interval (graph theory) · Lactation · Obstetrics · Pregnancy · Prolactin · Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy · Birth, Development, and Health · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Demography · Endocrinology · Mathematics · Medicine · Nursing · Physiology · Pediatrics
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| Unique citing works | 158 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3,43 |
| Citation span | 1980 - 2026 (47) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | Yes |
| Citation types | Neutral: 117 |