Laktációhoz

Laktációhoz refers to the process of lactation, the physiological phenomenon in female mammals whereby the mammary glands produce milk. This milk serves as a primary source of nutrition for the offspring in the period following birth. The initiation and maintenance of lactation are complex processes influenced by hormones, particularly prolactin, which is produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Prolactin stimulates the production of milk, while oxytocin plays a crucial role in milk ejection through the let-down reflex.

The hormonal cascade leading to lactation begins during pregnancy, with rising levels of estrogen and progesterone preparing the mammary glands for milk production. After birth, the decline in these hormones, coupled with the suckling stimulus from the infant, triggers a surge in prolactin. Suckling also stimulates the release of oxytocin, causing the muscles around the milk-producing alveoli to contract, expelling milk into the ducts and cisterns, making it available to the infant.

The composition of milk varies among species but generally includes water, lactose (a sugar), fats, proteins (such as casein and whey), vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients are essential for the growth and development of the young. The duration of lactation is also species-specific, ranging from a few weeks in some species to several years in others. The process is naturally regulated by the infant's demand for milk; the more the infant suckles, the more prolactin is released, and the more milk is produced. This feedback mechanism ensures that milk supply meets the nutritional needs of the offspring.