Lactation

WHAT IS LACTATION?

The secretion of milk from specialised mammary glands to provide nourishment to offspring.

The first-formed milk is called colostrum.  It is high in antibodies, which gives some passive immunity to the newborn.

HORMONES

During pregnancy, progesterone and oestrogen stimulate the growth of the mammary glands.

During pregnancy, the high concentration of progesterone inhibits the production of prolactin from the pituitary gland.  However, the fall in progesterone at the end of pregnancy means that prolactin is no longer inhibited…