Basic Knowledge of Lactation

Definition of Lactation
describes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands and the period of time that a mother lactates to feed her young.

How can it be possible?

It is possible due to the unique anatomy of the mammary gland

Before we get into detail, lets see what is mammary gland actually means?

 The breast generally refers to the front of the chest and medically specifically to the mammary gland. (The word "mammary" comes from "mamma," the Greek and Latin word for the breast, which derives from the cry "mama" uttered by infants and young children, sometimes meaning "I want to feed at the breast.")

How can we say the mammary gland is actually full of unique anatomy?

 The mammary gland as a milk-producing structure is composed largely of fat cells (cells capable of storing fat). The fat deposits are laid down in the breast under the influence of the female hormone, oestrogen

Besides that, Within the mammary gland there is a complex network of branching ducts (tubes or channels). These ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules

The lobules in the breast are the glands that can produce milk in females when they receive the appropriate hormonal stimulation

The breast ducts transport milk from the lobules out to the nipple. The ducts exit from the breast at the nipple.

Last but not least, the most vital anatomy

THE NIPPLE.

So, what is the function of the nipples and surrounding pigmented tissue then?

 The nipple becomes erect because of the stimuli of breastfeeding. Hence, enable the nipple of the post-partum female is used by the infant to breastfeed.

While, The small darkened (pigmented) area around the nipple is called the areola. (The word "areola" is the diminutive of the Latin "area" meaning a small space.) In pregnancy the areola darkens further and spreads in size. The areola contains small modified sweat glands (Montgomery's glands) that secrete moisture that acts as a lubricant for breastfeeding.

Myoepithelial cells

Epithelial cells
ducts Lactiferous sinus Nipple

Areola
Montgomery gland Supporting tissue and fat Alveoli

Other than the anatomy, hormonal influence play an important role in human lactation

At puberty, released oestrogen stimulates breast tissue to enlarge through growth of mammary ducts into the pre-existing mammary fat pad. Progesterone, secreted in the second half of the menstrual cycle, causes limited lobuloalveolar development.

The effects of oestrogen and progesterone facilitate the formation of the characteristic structure of the adult breast, which is the terminal duct lobular unit. However, full alveolar development and maturation of epithelium requires the hormones of pregnancy

Generally, lactation can be categorized into a few stages : Lactogenesis I Lactogenesis II Lactogenesis III

So what is lactogenesis?

Lactogenesis (initiation of lactation)is a series of cellular changes whereby mammary epithelial cells are converted from a nonsecretory state to a secretory state. This process is normally associated with the end of pregnancy and around the time of parturition

 Lactogenesis I During the latter part of pregnancy, the woman's breasts enter into the Lactogenesis I stage. This is when the breasts make colostrum (see below), a thick, sometimes yellowish fluid. At this stage, high levels of progesterone inhibit most milk production. It is not a medical concern if a pregnant woman leaks any colostrum before her baby's birth, nor is it an indication of future milk production.

 Lactogenesis II At birth, prolactin levels remain high, while the delivery of the placenta results in a sudden drop in progesterone, estrogen, and HPL levels. This abrupt withdrawal of progesterone in the presence of high prolactin levels stimulates the copious milk production of Lactogenesis II. Colostrum is the first milk a breastfed baby receives. It contains higher amounts of white blood cells and antibodies than mature milk, and is especially high in immunoglobulin A (IgA), which coats the lining of the baby's immature intestines, and helps to prevent pathogens from invading the baby's system. Secretory IgA also helps prevent food allergies. Over the first two weeks after the birth, colostrum production slowly gives way to mature breast milk

 Lactogenesis III/ Galactopoiesis The hormonal endocrine control system drives milk production during pregnancy and the first few days after the birth. When the milk supply is more firmly established, autocrine (or local) control system begins. This stage is called Lactogenesis III During this stage, the more that milk is removed from the breasts, the more the breast will produce.Thus the milk supply is strongly influenced by how often the baby feeds and how well it is able to transfer milk from the breast.