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Science 15 February 1980:
Vol. 207. no. 4432, pp. 788 - 791
DOI: 10.1126/science.7352291
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Articles

Science, Vol 207, Issue 4432, 788-791
Copyright © 1980 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Nursing frequency, gonadal function, and birth spacing among !Kung hunter-gatherers

M Konner and C Worthman

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 17 beta-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.


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