Classic Studies of Mammary Development and Milk Secretion: 1945 – 1980

Abstract

On June 20, 1947 a meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine in London was entitled "Discussion on Some Recent Developments in Knowledge of the Physiology of the Breast" [1]. The major questions outlined by the speakers were: how does the structure of the breast change with reproductive stage? what is the role of the basal cell layer in the mammary epithelium? how is milk composition related to diet? and what is the basic physiology of milk secretion including its hormonal regulation? All these questions were attacked vigorously in laboratories mostly in England and the United States, but researchers in France, Germany, and Austria also weighed in. Our purpose in this edition of the Journal is to show, through the presentation of seminal papers and key references, how the research of that period, prior to the molecular revolution of the last three decades, laid the groundwork for our current understanding of the morphology, developmental biology, and physiology of the functional mammary gland. This knowledge provides the groundwork for our current research into the molecular mechanisms involved in milk secretion and its regulation.

Endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidases from Infant Gut-associated Bifidobacteria Release Complex N-glycans from Human Milk Glycoproteins

“…Its composition includes essential nutrients such as lactose, fatty acids, and proteins (1), as well as a constellation of bioactive compounds critical for the protection and correct development of the infant in the first months of life (2). Breastfeeding is one of the main factors in the establishment of the intestinal microbiota in infants (3).…”

“…The presence of certain species of Bifidobacterium is a major feature of breast-fed infants (4), and the dominance of these microorganisms is thought to be associated with beneficial health effects (5,6). This enrichment has been explained by the ability of bifidobacteria to degrade and utilize human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) 1 as a carbon source (7).…”

Mapping the zinc‐transporting system in mammary cells: Molecular analysis reveals a phenotype‐dependent zinc‐transporting network during lactation

“…The mammary gland is a phenotypically dynamic, hormonally responsive tissue which differentiates from a non‐secreting, proliferative tissue to a highly differentiated secretory organ during lactation. The morphological changes that occur in the mammary gland as it transitions to a secreting organ have been well characterized [reviewed in (Neville, 2009)] and studies are continuing to reveal the molecular regulation of these morphological changes [reviewed in (Brisken and Rajaram, 2006)]. A key shift occurs during pregnancy and lactation as mammary epithelial cells (MECs) proliferate and terminally differentiate to establish a secretory epithelium.…”

Do the psychosocial risk factors of the mothers have effect on the breast milk electrolytes?

“…Ancak meme bezinde mastit gibi durumlar olduğunda, memeden yeterli süt boşalımı sağlanamadığında ya da emzirmeden kesilme döne-minde, epitel hücreleri arasındaki bu sıkı bağlantılar açılarak hücrelerarası sıvıdan süte madde özellikle de sodyum geçişine neden olur. Bu durumda artmış meme bezi geçirgenliğinden söz edilir (9,10) . Yazında artmış meme bezi geçirgenliğini saptamada sodyum yüksekliğinin yanı sıra sütteki Na/K oranının belirlenmesi ve Na/K oranının 1.0'dan büyük olduğu durumların artmış meme bezi geçir-genliği olarak değerlendirilmesi gerektiğini öneren çalışmalar bulunmaktadır (11)(12)(13) .…”