Which of the following hormone is essential for breast milk ejection?
Milk ejection occurs in response to a surge of oxytocin, which induces a contractile response in the smooth muscle surrounding the gland ductules. Oxytocin release is occasioned by stimuli of a visual, psychologic, or physical nature that prepare the mother for breast-feeding; whereas prolactin (PRL) release is limited to the suckling reflex arc. PRL is essential to milk production. Ref: Taylor R.N., Badell M.L. (2011). Chapter 16. The Endocrinology of Pregnancy. In D.G. Gardner, D. Shoback (Eds), Greenspan's Basic & Clinical Endocrinology, 9e.
Oxytocin
Prolactin
Galactogen
GH