Which statement accurately describes the hormones that control lactation?

Which statement accurately describes the hormones that control lactation?

• A. Testosterone and growth hormone prepare breasts for milk production, prolactin inhibits lactation, and cortisol stimulates milk letdown
• B. FSH and LH prepare breasts for milk production, estrogen stimulates lactation, and oxytocin inhibits lactation
• C. Estrogen and progesterone prepare breasts for milk production, prolactin stimulates lactation, and oxytocin stimulates milk letdown
• D. Progesterone alone prepares breasts for milk production, prolactin does not stimulate lactation, and oxytocin stimulates milk letdown

Answer: (C)

Lactation is controlled by a hormonal sequence that prepares the breast during pregnancy and then supports milk production and release after birth. Estrogen and progesterone promote the development of the mammary glands and ducts, creating the tissue capable of producing milk. After delivery, the fall in these hormones lifts their inhibition, allowing prolactin from the anterior pituitary to stimulate milk production in the milk-producing cells. Milk ejection, or letdown, is driven by oxytocin released from the posterior pituitary in response to infant suckling, causing the milk to be expelled from the ducts. This combination—estrogen and progesterone preparing the breasts, prolactin stimulating lactation, and oxytocin stimulating milk letdown—best describes how lactation is hormonally controlled. Other hormones listed don’t fit this specific role: testosterone and growth hormone aren’t the primary regulators of milk production, FSH/LH aren’t direct drivers of lactation, and progesterone alone does not stimulate milk production.

Lactation is controlled by a hormonal sequence that prepares the breast during pregnancy and then supports milk production and release after birth. Estrogen and progesterone promote the development of the mammary glands and ducts, creating the tissue capable of producing milk. After delivery, the fall in these hormones lifts their inhibition, allowing prolactin from the anterior pituitary to stimulate milk production in the milk-producing cells. Milk ejection, or letdown, is driven by oxytocin released from the posterior pituitary in response to infant suckling, causing the milk to be expelled from the ducts. This combination—estrogen and progesterone preparing the breasts, prolactin stimulating lactation, and oxytocin stimulating milk letdown—best describes how lactation is hormonally controlled. Other hormones listed don’t fit this specific role: testosterone and growth hormone aren’t the primary regulators of milk production, FSH/LH aren’t direct drivers of lactation, and progesterone alone does not stimulate milk production.