Lactation, Galactorrhoea, Prolactinomas Flashcards
What is lactation?
- process of making breast milk
- process of secretion of milk by mammary glands
Where does the name galactorrhoea originate?
- galacto = greek for milk
- rheo = greek for flow
The name galactorrhoea originates from greek:
- galacto = greek for milk
- rheo = greek for flow
What does galactorrhoea mean?
- milky nipple discharge
- not related to normal milk production of breast-feeding
Label the image below using the labels here:
pectoralis major areola nipple adipose tissue lactiferous duct lobules and alveoli lactiferous sinus (ampulla)
1 = pectoralis major 2 = adipose tissue 3 = lobules and alveoli 4 = lactiferous sinus (ampulla) 5 = lactiferous duct 6 = nipple 7 = Areola
The lobules of the breast are adapted sweat glands that secrete milk and are composed of multiple alveoli. Using the labels below, label one of the alveoli in the image below using the provided labels:
- milk
- ductule
- milk secreting epithelial cells
- myoepithelial cells
1 - myoepithelial cells
2 - milk
3 - milk secreting epithelial cells
4 - ductule
Once the milk is produced by the epithelial cells of the alveoli, what is the flow form the alveoli to the nipples?
1 - epithelial cells, ductule, lactiferous sinus, lactiferous duct, nipple
2 - epithelial cells, lactiferous sinus, ductule, lactiferous duct, nipple
3 - epithelial cells, ductule, lactiferous duct, lactiferous sinus, nipple
4 - epithelial cells, lactiferous sinus, lactiferous duct, ductule, nipple
3 - epithelial cells, ductule, lactiferous duct, lactiferous sinus, nipple
In puberty there are 3 hormones that contribute to the development of breast tissue, specifically the alveolar and lobules, what are these 3 hormones?
1 - progesterone, estrogen, growth hormone
2 - oxytocin, estrogen, growth hormone
3 - progesterone, prolactin, growth hormone
4 - progesterone, estrogen, prolactin
1 - progesterone, estrogen, growth hormone
In puberty there are 3 hormones that contribute to the development of breast tissue, specifically the alveolar and lobules, progesterone, estrogen, growth hormone. Although these hormones are involved in the development of breast tissue, what do estrogen and progesterone inhibit during puberty?
- production of breast milk
In puberty there are 3 hormones that contribute to the development of breast tissue, specifically the alveolar and lobules:
1 - progesterone
2 - estrogen
3 - growth hormone
What growth factor do these hormones act through?
1 - vascular endothelial growth factor
2 - transforming growth factor
3 - RANK-L
4 - insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1)
4 - insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1)
In pregnancy there are 4 hormones that contribute to the development of breast tissue, specifically the alveolar and lobules, what are these 3 hormones?
1 - oestrogen, prolactin, hCG, hPL
2 - oestrogen, progesterone, hPL, prolactin
3 - oxytocin, progesterone, hPL, prolactin
4 - oestrogen, oxytocin, hCG, prolactin
hCG = human chorionic gonadotrophin hPL = human placental lactogen
2 - oestrogen, progesterone, hPL, prolactin
In pregnancy there are 4 hormones that contribute to the development of breast tissue, specifically the alveolar and lobules, oestrogen, progesterone, hPL, prolactin. Which of these is made by the placenta and which is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland?
hCG = human placental lactogen
- placenta = oestrogen, progesterone, hPL
- anterior pituitary = prolactin (when the placenta is delivered prolactin is dominant)
The image below shows histology tissue from 4 different time points for woman’s breast development. Label the image using the labels below to identify each time period:
pregnancy
virgin
involution
lactation
1 - virgin
2 - pregnancy (increased alveoli and lobules)
3 - lactation
4 - involution
Following breast feeding, breast tissue is said to involute, what does this mean?
- shrinking or return to normal size of an organ
- alveoli and lobular number reduce
In pregnancy there are 4 hormones that contribute to the development of breast tissue, specifically the alveolar and lobules:
1 = oestrogen 2 = progesterone 3 = human placental lactogen 4 = prolactin
Although this prepares the breasts for milk synthesis and secretion, during pregnancy they don’t normally secrete milk. High levels of one of these hormones produced by the placenta inhibit milk let down. Which hormone is responsible for this inhibition?
2 - progesterone
Once a baby is born and the placenta has been delivered the placenta based progesterone levels drop, allowing milk to flow. However, milk is not the first thing that is secreted. What is secreted?
1 - IgA antibodies
2 - colostrum
3 - fluid filled carbohydrates
3 - fluid filled protein
1 - colostrum
- high in protein, carbs, immune cells (IgA) and low in fat
Once a baby is born and the placenta has been delivered the placenta based progesterone levels drop, allowing milk to flow. However, the first thing secreted is colostrum, which is high in protein, immune cells and low in fat. In addition to nourishing the baby, what does colostrum do to the GIT?
- acts as a laxative
- helps baby pass the first poo called meconium
What is prolactin and where is it synthesised and secreted?
- hormone produced by anterior pituitary gland
- produced by lactotrophs cells
Prolactin is a hormone synthesised and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, produced by lactotrophs cells. What is the function of prolactin?
1 - stimulates breast tissue to synthesise and secrete colostrum
2 - stimulates breast tissue to synthesise and secrete IgA antibodies
3 - stimulates breast tissue to synthesise and secrete breast milk
4 - stimulates breast tissue to help deliver placenta
3 - stimulates breast tissue to synthesise and secrete breast milk
What is oxytocin and where is it synthesised and secreted?
- peptide hormone synthesised and secreted by posterior pituitary gland
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone synthesised and secreted by posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin has 2 MAIN key functions, what are they?
1 - breasts to secrete milk and help mum bond with baby
2 - breasts to secrete milk and uterine contractions during labour
3 - breasts to secrete milk and help mum feel happy
4 - uterine contractions during labour and help mum bond with baby
2 - breasts to secrete milk and uterine contractions during labour
- signals myoepithelial cells of breast glands to contract and secrete milk
- part of positive feedback loop to trigger uterus contractions in labour
In pregnancy there are 4 hormones that contribute to the development of breast tissue, specifically the alveolar and lobules:
1 = oestrogen 2 = progesterone 3 = human chorionic somatomammotropin 4 = prolactin
What is the role of estrogen and progesterone on the breasts during pregnancy?
- physical development of the breast
- inhibition of breast milk secretion (mainly progesterone)
In the first 1-7 days following birth the breast secrete copious amounts of milk after colostrum. What hormones are important in the the secretion of this breast milk, ensuring adequate supply of amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, and calcium (not including prolactin and oxytocin)?
1 - growth hormone, parathyroid hormone,insulin, estrogen
2 - growth hormone, cortisol, parathyroid hormone,andestrogen
3 - growth hormone, cortisol, parathyroid hormone,andinsulin
4 - growth hormone, FSH, parathyroid hormone,andinsulin
3 - growth hormone, cortisol, parathyroid hormone,andinsulin