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[Truncated abstract] There is a large body of evidence describing the benefits and risks, to the human fetus, of antenatal glucocorticoid treatment, but no published research on the effects on lactation. The withdrawal of progesterone, in the presence of high levels of endogenous glucocorticoids and prolactin, triggers the onset of copious milk secretion (lactogenesis II) at the end of pregnancy. The alteration of lactogenesis II by exogenous glucocorticoids could potentially have adverse impacts on postnatal nutrition in both term and preterm infants. I aimed to determine the effects of maternal antenatal glucocorticoid treatment on lactogenesis II in both ewes and women. I found profound adverse effects on lactation in ewes, and similar but more subtle effects on lactation in women . . . This thesis represents the first investigation of the effects of antenatal glucocorticoid treatment on lactogenesis II in both ewes and women. I found that, in ewes, antenatal glucocorticoid treatment stimulated premature lactogenesis II, and this was caused by disruptions to hormonal regulation during pregnancy. This event was followed by profound delays in lactogenesis II after term parturition. More subtle effects in women suggest that antenatal glucocorticoid treatment did not have a major, prolonged impact on postnatal lactogenesis II. Very preterm gestational age strongly predicted delays in lactogenesis II stressing the importance of assistance for these mothers when they are establishing lactation.

Dissertation (Ph.D.) Florida State University, 2007. / Advisor: Jayne Standley, Florida State University, College of Music. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed 4-1-2008). Document formatted into pages; contains 77 pages. Includes biographical sketch. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis equivalent (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1947.

Thesis (M.A.)--Northern Kentucky University, 2008. / Made available through ProQuest. Publication number: AAT 1459941. ProQuest document ID: 1622202081. Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-50)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Additional advisors: Alfred Bartolucci, Mary Blankson, Melinda Lalor, Sreelatha Meleth. Description based on contents viewed June 13, 2008; title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-186).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008. / Prepared for: Center for Public Policy. Bibliography: leaves 72-76. Also available online via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1986.

Thesis equivalent (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1947.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Rhode Island, 2007 / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 266-279).