Physiology of milk secretion

Sandrine Truchet1, Edith Honvo-Houéto2

  • 1VIM, UR 892 INRA, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France.

Milk is a unique and complete nutritive source for the mammal neonate, also providing immune protection and developmental signals. Lactation is a complex process, proper to the mother and child dyad, and including numerous variables ranging from psychological aspects to the secretory functioning of the mammary epithelial cells, all contributing to a successful breastfeeding. This review gives an integrated overview of the physiology of lactation with a particular focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in milk product secretion and their regulations.

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