Age‐related macular degeneration has a greater incidence in women who have had multiple pregnancies and who breast‐fed. Pregnancy and lactation might deplete lutein and zeaxanthin stores since they are transferred via the placenta to the fetus and through lactation. Plasma was obtained from 11 women during the last trimester of pregnancy and after four and 12 weeks lactation. Never pregnant women served as controls. Carotenoids were analyzed by high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Pregnant and never‐pregnant women had similar plasma values for lutein (18.4 ± 8.3 mcg/dL pregnant vs. 18.4 ± 12.6 never‐pregnant) and zeaxanthin (4.0 ± 2.1 mcg/dL. pregnant vs. 3.0 ± 1.5 mcg/dL never‐pregnant). Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin values were lower in women who had given birth ≥3 times compared to women who had given birth to ≤2 times (plasma lutein, 10.5 vs. 15.8 mcg/dL respectively, p< 0.01; plasma zeaxanthin 2.4 vs. 3.2 mcg/dL, p<0.03). After 4 weeks lactation, plasma values were lower for lutein (11.0 ± 6.6 μg/dL, p= 0.000) and zeaxanthin (2.3 ± 1.3 mcg/dL, p< 0.001). β‐cryptozanthin declined similarly, but α and β‐carotene increased significantly (33 and 68 percent respectively). Lycopene did not change. In conclusion, plasma lutein and zeaxanthin were 40 percent lower during lactation suggesting that depletion of these xanthophylls might have a role in macular degeneration later in life. USDA grant