Question

The mother of a two-month old baby is in intense lactation phase, this intensely lactating mother did not conceive for the first few months, the underlying phenomenon for this being

• A. suppression of fertilisation
• B. suppression of gonadotropins
• C. hypersecretion of gonadotropins
• D. suppression of post-fertilisation events

Answer 1

The correct option is B suppression of gonadotropins

A mother experiences a period of intense lactation after giving birth to a child during which the menstrual cycle does not occur. The presence of the hormone prolactin in the mother’s blood suppresses the release of gonadotropins like FSH and LH. LH and FSH are released from the pituitary gland, which regulates the monthly ovulation in a mature female. Due to this suppression of gonadotropins, the ovum is not released and hence no ovulation and menstrual cycle occurs. That is why generally an intensely lactating mother does not conceive. This temporary period of intense lactation and stoppage of the menstrual cycle after childbirth is called lactational amenorrhea. Lactational amenorrhea works as a natural method of birth control.
If there is no ovulation and consequent menstruation, it automatically excludes fertilisation and post-fertilisation events.