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Prolactin (PRL), also known as lactotropin and mammotropin, is a protein best known for its role in enabling mammals to produce milk. It is influential in over 300 separate processes in various vertebrates, including humans. [5] Prolactin is secreted from the pituitary gland in response to eating, mating, estrogen treatment, ovulation and ...
When the breast is stimulated, prolactin levels in the blood rise, peak in about 45 minutes, and return to the pre-breastfeeding state about three hours later. The release of prolactin triggers the cells in the alveoli to make milk. Prolactin also transfers to the breast milk.
Women who experienced delayed OL reports the absence of typical onset signs, including breast swelling, breast heaviness [6] and sense of breast milk "coming in" [8] within the first 72 hours postpartum; nevertheless, some reports suggest that the sensation of "milk coming in (to the breasts)" is resultant of milk production overshoot instead.
The number for prolactin cells in a pregnant female will increase to allow for breast tissue development. Prolactin is involved in the maturation of mammary glands and their secretion of milk in association with oxytocin, estrogen, progesterone, glucocorticoids, and others. Prolactin has numerous other effects in both sexes. [citation needed]
By the twentieth week of gestation, mammary glands have reached a sufficient level of development to generate milk components as a result of stimulation by prolactin. [33] Post-lactational involution refers to the process of breast tissue returning to its normal state after milk production stops due to a decrease in prolactin levels. [33]
Breast size does not determine the amount of milk a woman will produce or whether she will be able to successfully breastfeed her baby. [21] Larger breast size pre pregnancy is a sign there are more fatty cells within the breast, which do not affect milk production. A more important indicator is breast changes during the course of pregnancy.
In contrast to prolactin and oxytocin, FIL poses an inhibitory effect on milk synthesis. It gradually reduces the amount of milk produced by suspending the milk secretion when the frequency of breastfeeding is lowered. [18] This guarantees the production of a proper volume of milk, thereby avoiding overfilling the breast with milk.
Hyperprolactinemia, characterized by abnormally high levels of prolactin, may cause galactorrhea (production and spontaneous flow of breast milk), infertility, and menstrual disruptions in women. In men, it can lead to hypogonadism, infertility and erectile dysfunction. Prolactin is crucial for milk production during pregnancy and lactation.