Describe the hormones that affect mammary gland development during pregnancy.
Describe the hormones that affect mammary gland development during pregnancy.
The mammary gland is a unique apocrine gland which is a characteristic feature of female mammalian organisms. The function of this organ is to produce and secrete colostrum for feeding newborn babies.
The structure of mammary gland changes dramatically during puberty and stages of pregnancy, and these changes are regulated by the changes in hormonal levels. During pregnancy, the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin alter mammary glands' shape, and significant growth is observed. The increased levels of estrogen in the second trimester of pregnancy play a significant role in the development of the milk ducts as a result of which the breasts enlarge. The hormones progesterone and prolactin stimulate the development of alveoli (the breast cells where milk is produced).
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