Question

Consider the synchronization of birth and milk production. Babies can be born several months prematurely, and milk production is needed immediately after birth. How has the human body evolved to coordinate this delicate timing of events?

• A. The ovaries signal the rest of the body tissues by varying the level of estrogen.
• B. Conscious awareness of the arrival of a baby triggers the mother's hypothalamus to secrete prolactin.
• C. The hypothalamus and pituitary that triggered the female reproductive cycle also schedule milk production on a nine-month clock basis.
• D. Oxytocin both causes the uterus to contract in labor and stimulates the release of milk from mammary glands, which is reinforced by prolactin from the pituitary.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Oxytocin both causes the uterus to contract in labor and stimulates the release of milk from mammary glands, which is reinforced by prolactin from the pituitary.

The hypothalamus and pituitary that triggered the female reproductive cycle do not schedule milk production on a nine-month clock basis. But oxytocin is released due to the stimulation by fetal ejection reflex. By this stimulation, oxytocin is released which causes contraction in uterus wall and also stimulates prolactin secretion for milk production in mammary gland. Thus, the correct answer is option D.