RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibility of detecting ovulation through observing changes in composition of milk and using this as a simple and non-invasive method. METHOD: Twenty five normal lactating women [menstruating and non-menstruating], varying in age from 18-35 years and taking no hormonal contraceptives were included in this study. Hormonal estimation was done by radioimmunoassay and changes in milk composition were observed by measuring the concentration of Na+, Cl-, K+ and lactose. Changes were observed in milk composition of four menstruating women [ovulatory], characterized by significant increase in concentration of Na+ and Cl- and decrease in concentration of lactose and K+. However, in one non-menstruating woman who was found to have ovulation, these findings could not be observed. Results show that the determination of Na+, K+, Cl- and lactose in milk of lactating women have a high value for detection of ovulation