LACTION

Production of milk in the mammary gland is called lactation .

Lactation comprises of two phases, lactogenesis and galactopoiesis .

Ducts in the mammary glands develop after puberty . Under the influence of estrogens growth hormones and adrenal glucocorticoids .

During pregnancy the mammary glands enlarge and alveoli develop in response to increasing levels of estrogens growth hormone adrenal glucocorticoids .

Insulin progesterone and from the placenta somatomammotropin .

The secretion and storage of milk takes place under the influence of hormone prolactin .

And the ejection of milk is stimulated by the hormone oxytocin .

The first milk which comes from the mammary glands of the mother just after child birth for 2-3 days is called colostrum .

Colostrum contains large numbers of antibodies called secretory immunoglobulin i.e. IgA that help protect the mucous membranes in the throat lungs and intestines of the infant .

Colostrum is also high in carbohydrates high in protein and low in fat .

The main constituents of breast milk are fat casein lactose , mineral salts and vitamines .