Lactation

Lactation is the secretion of milk from the mammary gland during breastfeeding. During pregnancy, due to the increased level of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin, the tuboalveolar system of the mammary gland develops, which proliferates significantly and secretes colostrum. The production of breast milk after birth begins 2-3 days after birth and is stimulated by prolactin from the adenohypophysis, expulsion (= ejection) of milk by oxytocin (causes the contraction of the cells of the excretory system). Each breastfeeding increases the production of prolactin and oxytocin.

References

GANONG, William F.. Přehled lékařské fyziologie. 20. edition. Prague : Galén, 2005. 890 pp. ISBN 80-7262-311-7.