Role of hormones in lactation

Hormones involved in lactation are
1) estrogen
2)progesterone
3) prolactin
3) oxytocin

1. ROLE OF HORMONES IN LACTATION PRESENTED BY FASEEHA .r

2. LACTATION It is the process of milk production that occurs in the mammary glands present in the breast Alveoli of the mammary glands will produce milk, that is secreted into the mammary ducts which open at the nipple The ability of the mammary glands to secret milk during later pregnancy is called lactogenesis The process of lactation is controlled by various hormones

3. Lactogenic hormones Hormones which stimulate growth of mammary glands and lactation after parturition. From the 24th week of pregnancy, the women's body produces hormones that stimulate the growth of the milk duct system in the breast. There are 4 major hormones that help your breast make milk  1) estrogen                                   2) progesterone   3) prolactin 4) oxytocin

4. 1. ESTROGEN Breast growth hormone estrogen and human placental lactogen work on the growth of the breast before pregnancy. All through the pregnancy, large quantities of estrogen secreted by the placenta and ovary cause the ductal system of breast to grow and branch. High level of estrogen inhibit lactation Estrogen levels also drop at delivery and remain low for first several months of breast feeding

5. progesterone The final development of breast into milk secreting organs requires progesterone It is secreted by ovary and placenta Once the ductal system has developed, progesterone causes additional growth of the breast lobules Increased level of progesterone inhibit lactation before birth

6. Estrogen and progesterone Estrogen and progesterone prepare your breast to make milk When placenta is discharged after birth, levels of estrogen and progesterone decreases. This decrease signals your body and triggers the onset of copious milk production Secretion of milk requires an adequate background secretion of most of mothers other hormone like growth hormone, cortisol insulin, PTH These are necessary to provide amino acids, fatty acids glucose, and calcium

7. prolactin Prolactin is protein of 198 amino acids is released from the anterior pituitary gland in the brain Its known as breast feeding hormone because of its role in production of breast milk During pregnancy, prolactin prepares your breasts to begin breast milk production High levels of estrogen and progesterone prevent prolactin from making breast milk When baby breastfeeds, the nerves in your breast sends signals to your brain to release hormones prolactin which leads to milk production

8. prolactin Level of prolactin is higher at night ​ Prolactin levels are higher until two months of postpartum ​ Prolactin levels increases if more milk is removed from the breast ​ Women who smoke have low prolactin levels ​ Stress and prolactin increase prolactin levels ​ Prolactin normal range in serum in pregnant women is 34-386ng/mL ​

9. Oxytocin- let down reflex  A type of neurosecretory cells in the posterior pituitary gets stimulated by suckling and would release oxytocin. When the baby suckles, it receives virtually no milk for first half minute Sensory impulses must first be transmitted through somatic nerves from the nipples to the mothers spinal cord and then to hypothalamus, cause nerve signals to promote oxytocin It is carried in the blood to the breast where it causes myoepithelial cells to contract, thereby expressing the milk from the alveoli into the ducts.

10. benefits of breast feeding on maternal health BONDING Skin to skin contact of mother and baby stimulates breast feeding behavior in baby WHO- skin to skin contact between mother and newborn reduces crying, improves mother to infant interactions and keeps baby warm HORMONE RELEASE Oxytocin and prolactin relax the mother and make her feel more nurturing towards her baby Enables sleep if the mother has difficulty in sleeping WEIGHT LOSS Extended breastfeeding at least 6 months can help mother lose weight 

11. LONG TERM HEALTH EFFECTS Less risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer Lactation for at least 24 months is associated with 23% lower risk of coronary heart disease Mothers who breastfeed longer than eight months benefit from bone re-mineralization Breastfeeding diabetic mother require less insulin Reduced risk of postpartum bleeding Lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis