Which hormone produced by the bovine endometrium is associated with lactation?

Which hormone produced by the bovine endometrium is associated with lactation?

• A. Prolactin
• B. Estrogen
• C. Prolactin and Estrogen
• D. Progesterone

Answer: (C)

Lactation is driven by signals that stimulate milk production and mammary development. Prolactin is the key hormone that directly drives milk synthesis in the mammary alveolar cells, while estrogen supports lactation by promoting mammary duct development and increasing tissue sensitivity to prolactin. In the bovine endometrium, the presence of both hormones creates a hormonal environment linked to lactation, especially around the time of calving when lactation begins. Progesterone, on the other hand, is more associated with maintenance of pregnancy and tends to oppose lactation during gestation. Therefore, the combination of prolactin and estrogen best explains the hormonal association with lactation in the bovine endometrium.

Lactation is driven by signals that stimulate milk production and mammary development. Prolactin is the key hormone that directly drives milk synthesis in the mammary alveolar cells, while estrogen supports lactation by promoting mammary duct development and increasing tissue sensitivity to prolactin. In the bovine endometrium, the presence of both hormones creates a hormonal environment linked to lactation, especially around the time of calving when lactation begins. Progesterone, on the other hand, is more associated with maintenance of pregnancy and tends to oppose lactation during gestation. Therefore, the combination of prolactin and estrogen best explains the hormonal association with lactation in the bovine endometrium.