Milk production is primarily regulated by a complex interplay of hormones. The key hormones involved include prolactin, oxytocin, and estrogens.
Prolactin: Produced in the pituitary gland, prolactin is responsible for the synthesis of milk within the alveoli of the mammary glands. Oxytocin: Also produced by the pituitary gland, oxytocin stimulates the contraction of myoepithelial cells around the alveoli, helping to eject milk during breastfeeding. Estrogens and Progesterone: These hormones prepare the mammary glands for lactation during pregnancy but inhibit actual milk production until after childbirth.
