Breast-feeding: matching supply with demand in human lactation

• Published in: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 401 - 406
• Main Authors: Wilde, C. J., Prentice, A., Peaker, M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-07-1995
• Subjects: Animals; autocrine inhibition; breast feeding; breast milk; Feedback; feedback inhibitor of lactation (fil); Female; frequency; goat milk; Goats; Homeostasis; Humans; infant feeding; inhibition; inhibitors; Lactation - physiology; mechanism of action; milk secretion; Nutritional Requirements; species differences; Symposium on ‘Maternal–offspring interactions’
• ISSN: 0029-6651; 1475-2719
• DOI: 10.1079/PNS19950009

This article examines the mechanism(s) which control milk output in human lactation. There is evidence that the rate of milk secretion in breast feeding mothers is regulated locally within each mammary gland. In some ruminant species local regulation of milk secretion by frequency and completeness of milking is through autocrine feedback inhibition by a milk protein, feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL), but there is no definitive evidence that this is also the case for human lactation. However, there has been a human protein isolated which is able to inhibit synthesis of milk constituents in vitro and is structurally related to FIL.