Explain the physiology of lactation, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the Physiology of Lactation?

Lactogenesis is the onset of copious milk secretion around parturition, triggered by a fall in plasma progesterone levels. Although some colostrum is secreted after delivery (2-3 days), full lactation begins later. The first 2-3 days after delivery is a period of rapid lactation initiation, followed by the longer period of maintenance of lactation. This complex neuroendocrine process is facilitated by interplay of various hormones. Oxytocin and prolactin instigate the lactation process. Prolactin is responsible for milk production and oxytocin is involved in milk ejection from the  breast.

A cyclic process of secretary activity, luminal distention and expulsion of milk into the duct system continues throughout lactation as directed by the suckling of the infant and the let-down reflex. Regular sucking stimulates the continuation of milk secretion. Milk removal from the breast is a product of coordinated interaction between sucklings of the infant and let-down reflex of the mother, as depicted in the Figure . As the infant commences suckling, afferent impulses generated in the receptors in  the areola travel to the brain where they stimulate the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary. Oxytocin travels through the blood stream to the breast where it combines with specific receptors on the myoepithelial cells, stimulating them to contract and force milk from the alveoli into the mammary ducts and sinuses.

1642_Physiology of Lactation.png

 

We all know that human milk contains several nutrients and that it is tailor made to meet the requirements of the growing infant.


Related Discussions:- Explain the physiology of lactation

Excreation, What is the excreatory organ in agama lizard

What is the excreatory organ in agama lizard

Show artificial systems of classification of plants, Q. Show Artificial sys...

Q. Show Artificial systems of classification of plants? Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) popularly known as Carl Von Linne was born on May 1707 at Result, a small village in Smalan

What is the first polar body, What is the first polar body? How different i...

What is the first polar body? How different is it from the oocyte II? In oogenesis the oogonium differentiates into oocyte I (2n) and this cell enters meiosis. After finishing

Explain cosmid, Cosmid: The type of artificially constructed vector taken ...

Cosmid: The type of artificially constructed vector taken in use for cloning the 35-45 kb of DNA. These are plasmids carrying the phage l cos site (which permits packaging into l

Define echocardiography, Q. What is Echocardiography in pericardial disease...

Q. What is Echocardiography in pericardial diseases? Ans. One of the earliest clinical applications of echocardiography was in the detection of pericardial effusion and it rema

Explain about gastro oesophageal reflux disease, Q. Explain about Gastro Oe...

Q. Explain about Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease? GERD refers to the regurgitation of acidic stomach contents into the oesophagus. It results in a spectrum of clinical manife

How are the major classes of arthropods classified, Q. How are the major cl...

Q. How are the major classes of arthropods classified according to the presence of larval stage in their embryonic development? In crustaceans there are others with indirect an

Chest complications-peri operative problems, Chest Complications : Many of...

Chest Complications : Many of the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery have risk factors for post-operative lung complications. These include old age, chronic obstru

What is pulmonary venous congestion ?, Q. What is Pulmonary Venous Congesti...

Q. What is Pulmonary Venous Congestion ? In pulmonary venous hypertension, the earliest change is an increase in calibre of the upper lobe vessels. If the upper lobe veins meas

What do you mean by chromosome number, Q. What do you mean by Chromosome Nu...

Q. What do you mean by Chromosome Number? We are generally aware that the number of chromosomes in each cell of all individuals of a single species is constant. ,It is also est

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd