Endocrinology of lactation

The endocrine control of lactation is one of the most complex physiologic mechanisms of human parturition. Mammogenesis, lactogenesis, galactopoiesis, and galactokinesis are all essential to assure proper lactation. Prolactin is the key hormone of lactation and seems to be the single most important...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inObstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America Vol. 31; no. 4; p. 963
Main Author Buhimschi, Catalin S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.2004
Subjects
Female
Humans
Lactation - physiology
Mammary Glands, Human - anatomy & histology
Mammary Glands, Human - embryology
Mammary Glands, Human - metabolism
Milk, Human - secretion
Oxytocin - physiology
Placental Lactogen - physiology
Pregnancy
Prolactin - physiology
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Summary:The endocrine control of lactation is one of the most complex physiologic mechanisms of human parturition. Mammogenesis, lactogenesis, galactopoiesis, and galactokinesis are all essential to assure proper lactation. Prolactin is the key hormone of lactation and seems to be the single most important galactopoietic hormone. Oxytocin, serotonin, opioids, histamine, substance P, and arginine-leucine modulate prolactin release by means of an autocrine/paracrine mechanism, whereas estrogen and progesterone hormones can act at the hypothalamic and adenohypophysial levels. Human placental lactogen and growth factors play an essential role to assure successful lactation during pregnancy. Oxytocin is the most powerful galactokinetic hormone.
ISSN:0889-8545
DOI:10.1016/j.ogc.2004.08.002