Hormonal Action Controlling Mammary Activity

Abstract

Mammary gland differentiation includes multiplication of cells, activation of genes specific to milk synthesis, and activation of “house-keeping” genes. These events are controlled by multiple hormones, the roles of which are not known in detail. Prolactin induction of milk synthesis is accompanied by accumulation of casein messenger ribonucleic acid resulting from acceleration of casein gene transcription as well as stabilization of messenger ribonucleic acid. Prolactin also favors translation of casein messenger ribonucleic acid. Glucocorticoids amplify and progesterone inhibits prolactin action on transcription of casein genes. © 1985, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.