Question

Prolactin

• A. is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland
• B. stimulates mammary glands to secrete milk
• C. is under the control of prolactin inhibiting hormone of the hypothalamus
• D. is synthesised in the hypothalamus

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The correct options are
A is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland
B stimulates mammary glands to secrete milk
C is under the control of prolactin inhibiting hormone of the hypothalamus

Milk production, or lactation, occurs in the alveoli of mammary glands when they are stimulated by the anterior pituitary hormone, prolactin. During pregnancy, the mammary glands are prepared for lactation but prevented from lactating. Secretion of prolactin is inhibited by the release of prolactin-inhibiting hormone from
the hypothalamus. When nursing stops, the accumulation of milk in the breasts signals the brain to stop prolactin secretion, and milk production ceases.