Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Mammary Glands

The Mammary Glands

The female breast is a hemispheric projection of variable size positioned anterior to the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles. A fascia layer composed of dense, irregular connective tissue connects it to these muscles.
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Roles of circulating proteins in osteoporosis pathogenesis: Insights from Mendelian randomization.

Bone·2026

Same author

Electrolyte coordination environments in wide-temperature aqueous metal batteries: mechanisms and design strategies.

Chemical science·2026

Same author

Ruminal Degradation of Puerarin and Its Effects on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation, Methane Emission, and Microbial Community Structure.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2026

Same author

Effects of pubertal dietary energy-protein levels and breeding strategies on mammary gland development and lactational performance in mice.

The Journal of nutritional biochemistry·2025

Same author

Microplastic in milk and dairy products: Research quality, abundance, sources, and transfer mechanisms.

Journal of hazardous materials·2025

Same author

Divergent Regulation of Mammary Lipogenesis by <i>trans</i>-10, <i>cis</i>-12 and <i>cis</i>-9, <i>trans</i>-11 CLA Isomers Is Determined by Receptor-Specific Signaling.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

Published on: July 21, 2011

Pre-but not post-natal nutritional restriction promotes mammary development.

Xusheng Dong¹, Qiuling Hou¹, Yingyu Mu¹

¹Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China.

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry

|December 6, 2025

Summary

Early embryonic nutritional restriction boosts mammary development and lactation. However, postnatal restrictions impair gland development, with pubertal restriction significantly reducing lactation capacity in mice.

Keywords:

Mammary development Mammary morphogenesis Maternal nutrition Mice Nutritional restriction

More Related Videos

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats

Published on: October 16, 2010

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland

Published on: December 1, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

Published on: July 21, 2011

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats

Published on: October 16, 2010

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland

Published on: December 1, 2015

Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Nutritional science
Reproductive biology

Background:

Mammary gland development is crucial and sensitive to nutrition.
Effects of early-life nutrition on mammary development are not well understood.
Nutritional restriction's impact varies by developmental stage.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate effects of embryonic, suckling, or pubertal nutritional restriction on mammary development and lactation.
Determine if nutritional restriction impacts are stage-dependent.
Identify mechanisms underlying nutritional impacts on mammary gland function.

Main Methods:

Nutritional restriction imposed during specific early life periods in mice.
Mammary gland and serum analysis at maturity and lactation.
Hormonal, histological, and transcriptomic analyses performed.

Main Results:

Embryonic restriction (ER) enhanced mammary development and lactation by increasing proliferation and stem cells.
Postnatal restrictions (SR, PR) disrupted mammary morphogenesis via hormonal signaling and stromal remodeling.
SR effects were reversible; PR led to impaired lactation.

Conclusions:

Nutritional intervention timing critically influences mammary gland development and lactation.
Embryonic nutrition positively impacts mammary growth and function.
Postnatal nutritional insults, especially during puberty, have lasting negative consequences on lactation.