Week 11 Flashcards
What is colostrum?
First milk produced by mammary glands in breast (for about a week)
Why is “breast is best” for the baby?
- Reduced incidence of GI, respiratory & middle ear infection
- Decreased risk of childhood diabetes, asthma & eczema
- Reduced risk of lactose intolerance
- Improved intellectual & motor development
- Decreased risk of obesity in later life
- Possible reduced autoimmune diseases
- 27% reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome
What does WHO/UN advise women to do regarding breast feeding?
Breast feed exclusively for 6 months for optimal lifetime benefits
Why is “breast is best” for the mother?
- Promotes recovery from childbirth
- Promotes return to “normal” body weight
- Promotes a period of infertility
- Reduces risk of premenopausal breast cancer
- Possibly reduces risk of ovarian cancer
- Possibly improves bone mineralisation
What is the physiology behind lactational amenorrhoea?
- Prolactin suppresses hypothalamic release of GnRH & therefore pituitary FSH & LH
- Prevents follicular growth, ovulation & menstruation
Describe breast development at birth?
Breast consists of lactiferous ducts without any alveoli (also male breast)
Describe breast development at puberty?
Under influence of oestrogen the ducts proliferate & masses of alveoli form at the ends of the branches
Describe breast development at each menstrual cycle?
Involves proliferative changes in alveoli & there may be some secretory activity
Describe breast development during pregnancy?
Under influence of oestrogen, progesterone & prolactin the glandular portion of breast undergoes hypertrophy replacing adipose tissue
Describe breast development from week 16 of pregnancy?
Breast tissue is fully developed for lactation but is quiescent awaiting activation
Describe breast development after parturition?
Breast produces colostrum before mature milk production begins
What are the 5 stages to breast alveoli development during pregnancy?
- Prior to pregnancy , ducts with few alveoli
- Early pregnancy, alveoli grow
- Midpregnancy, alveoli enlarge & acquire lumen
- During Lactation, alveoli dilate
- After weaning, gland regresses
Describe the anatomy of the breast?
- Nipple surrounded by pigmented skin (areola)
- Modified sebaceous glands (alveoli) empty via lactiferous ducts that are dilated to form lactiferous sinuses which open on surface of nipple
- Each alveolus surrounded by contractile myo-epithelial cells
What tissue is dominant in the non-lactating breast?
Adipose tissue
When does glandular tissue develop fully in the female breast?
During pregnancy (replaces adipose tissue)
What are the milk producing cells & what are they stimulated by?
- Secretory alveoli/acini
- Stimulated by prolactin
What stimulates contractile myo-epithelial cells?
Oxytocin
What 2 things does lactation consist of?
- Milk production
2. Let down (milk ejection reflex) as infant cannot suck milk out of alveoli where it is produced
What is lactation controlled by?
Neurohumoral reflexes, prolactin is the hormone
How is lactation initiated & controlled?
- Initiated by precipitous drop in oestrogen & progesterone after delivery
- Prolactin surges when mother nurses baby due to nerve impulses from nipples to hypothalamus
- When not nursing, hypothalamus produces prolactin inhibitory hormone
How is lactation inhibited during pregnancy?
- Prolactin is inhibited by high levels of progesterone, oestrogen & hPL (human placental lactogen)
- These steroids fall after parturition & milk production begins
Describe the suckling reflex (role of prolactin)?
Suckling stimulus inhibits hypothalamic release of dopamine (PIF) & prolactin is released in proportion to the strength & duration of suckling
Describe the milk ejection reflex (role of oxytocin)?
- Suckling stimulates neurones in hypothalamus to synthesis oxytocin which is carried to posterior pituitary
- Release of oxytocin into blood stream acts on myo-epithelial cells in alveoli causing “let down” of milk
What is oxytocin release inhibited by?
Catecholamines, stress can inhibit the reflex