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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models
Published on: July 21, 2011
Early mammary development: growth hormone and IGF-1
1Department of Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York 10010, USA.
Abstract:
The first step in pubertal mammary development is the appearance of terminal end buds arising from pleuropotent stem cells present in the immature ductal tree of the prepubertal animal. Work from this laboratory indicates that growth hormone is the pituitary hormone responsible for terminal end bud development. Growth hormone likely acts through the production of IGF-1. This minireview focuses on the hormonal control of early mammary development with special emphasis on the roles of growth hormone and IGF-1.
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