Researchers have turned their attention to the effects of alcohol consumption on breastfeeding, with significant negative findings concerning both the mother and the newborn. This study is a meta-analysis of the principle research performed in the last decade that was concerned with lactation and alcohol. Results from experimental and human subject research has shown that effects of alcohol include: behavioural changes, reduced milk and luteinising
hormone production, with increased fat content, reduced
lactose content. Increased lipogenesis and increased activity of
lipoprotein and
hormone-sensitive lipase, structural alterations in the epithelial cells of the breast and abnormal
casein production, reduced
oxytocin and
prolactin production with subsequent reduced milk ejection, and reduced weight and
protein content of the breast. Reduction in food consumption,
body weight, growth and development and
hepatic glycogen, serum
glucose,
amino-acids,
insulin, glycerol,
fatty acids and
urea, and an increase in serum
acetoacetic acid is seen in newborn children that were breastfed by animals with a high intake of alcohol during pregnancy or the puerperal period. Alcohol consumption during lactation caused a reduction in liver weight and
triglyceride,
protein,
DNA and
lipid content, in the newborns. Serum changes included a reduction in
protein,
triglyceride,
cholesterol,
fatty acid and
glycerol level with an increase in beta-hydroxybutirate levels. Changes also included alterations in the motor system and behaviour. Further studies are needed to determine, with confidence, the minimum level of alcohol consumption that can provoke pathological effects in both the mother and the child.