Hormones are responsible for milk ejection is ?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2021

Explanation

Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex, also known as the let-down reflex.
It is released from the posterior pituitary gland in response to stimuli like the baby suckling the nipple.
Oxytocin acts on the myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli of the mammary glands, causing them to contract.
This contraction forces the milk from the alveoli into the ducts, making it available for the infant to drink.

Option A: FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) is a gonadotropic hormone from the anterior pituitary. Its primary function is to stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles in women and sperm production in men. It is not involved in lactation.
Option B: Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone (androgen). It is responsible for the development of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics. It plays no role in milk ejection.
Option C: Progesterone is essential for preparing the uterus for pregnancy and maintaining it. During pregnancy, high levels of progesterone inhibit the full secretory activity of the breasts. A sharp drop in progesterone after delivery is one of the triggers for milk production to begin, but it does not cause milk ejection.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Hormonal control of lactation, specifically the milk ejection reflex as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the milk ejection reflex is crucial for nurses counseling new mothers on breastfeeding.
Nurses can explain that factors like stress, pain, or anxiety can inhibit the release of oxytocin, leading to difficulty with milk let-down. Relaxation techniques, a comfortable environment, and privacy can facilitate the reflex.
Synthetic oxytocin (e.g., Syntocinon nasal spray) can be prescribed in some cases to help stimulate the let-down reflex if a mother is having difficulty.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key physiological process in the question: 'milk ejection'.
Differentiate this specific process from the related but distinct process of 'milk production' (synthesis).
Recall the primary hormones involved in lactation. Prolactin is for production, and Oxytocin is for ejection.
Evaluate the given options. FSH, Testosterone, and Progesterone are primarily involved in the reproductive cycle and pregnancy maintenance, not milk ejection.
Select Oxytocin as the hormone directly responsible for causing the myoepithelial cells to contract and eject milk.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Hormonal control of lactation, specifically the milk ejection reflex.
Stem keywords: Hormone, milk ejection
Lead-in keywords: responsible for
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 2 p. 30-32

E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 3 p. 69-71

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.