Chapter 27, Problem 18CYR

Summary Introduction

To review:

The sequence of events that are responsible for initiating lactation:

__Estrogen and progesterone levels decrease when placenta is expelled and prolactin stimulates milk production.

__In the last month of pregnancy, placental estrogen, progesterone, and placental lactogen stimulate the production of prolactin.

__ Estrogen and prolactin stimulate the acini in the mammary gland to grow and the lactiferous ducts to branch.

__Oxytocin binds to the myoepithelial cells in the mammary glands and causes them to contract and eject milk.

Introduction:

Lactation is the production and release of breastmilk. It is under the regulation of secretions from a variety of endocrine glands. Breastfeeding is the feeding of milk to the young ones through the mother’s breast. This is also known as nursing. Breastfeeding is started during the first hour of childbirth and continues for at least six months. The mother’s milk is highly nutritive. It enhances the immunity of a newborn child.