Question

Hormone responsible for the secretion of ,milk after parturition is
A. ACTH
B. LH
C. ICSH
D. Prolactin

Answer 1

Hint: Parturition is a process of giving birth to a young one. After the birth of a baby, the breasts of the mother start to produce milk. The mother’s milk is called colostrums.

Complete Answer:
Colostrum produces small amounts but it performs various functions in providing immunity to the young one.
- During pregnancy, the placenta generates hormones to develop the milk in mammary glands of females.
- But after the parturition process or birth of a baby, placenta is separated out from the uterus, so it will not generate hormones for milk production anymore.
- Separation of placenta from the uterus causes a sharp drop in progesterone hormone which triggers the breasts to start producing milk about 32-40 hours after the parturition process.
- In some women, production of milk can be delayed, in some it comes in very little amounts or in some women milk does not come after the parturition process.

Reason why there is little milk production or no milk production in females after parturition:
It happened if-
- The birth of baby is premature birth
- The mother has some medical conditions like PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) or diabetes.
- Mother has obesity.
- Mother had a traumatic birth or postpartum hemorrhage. Females have thyroid conditions.

Steps mother can take when there is little milk production:
- Massage the breast area because it can help in creation of important milk receptor sites and increase the amount of milk a woman is producing.
- Use a hospital grade pump because these types of pumps provide suction that can increase the amount of milk production.
- Use a heating pad or take a warm shower before expressing milk.
- Listen to relaxing music as it will help to relax and get hormones flowing which are needed for milk production.
- Drink lots of water because it can increase the amount of milk that a breast is producing.

Hormones responsible for milk production:
The important hormones that are needed for producing milk include Prolactin, Thyroid hormone, Insulin, Cortisol and Oxytocin.

Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Note: It is advisable to feed the baby only the mother’s milk for the first few months because it is ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. Colostrum also contains some antibodies like IgA, IgM, IgG which when goes to the child provide immunity to the child.