Which hormone stimulates the secretion of milk in a female?
(a) LH
(b) Prolactin
(c) Oxytocin
(d) Progesterone

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Detailed Solution

Lactation is the process of milk secretion from the mammary glands, during which a mother feeds her infant. The hormone prolactin plays the key role in stimulating mammary glands to produce milk.

In the initial days of lactation, the milk secreted is called colostrum. It is rich in antibodies that help newborns develop resistance against infections.

During pregnancy, prolactin levels in the blood rise, causing enlargement of the mammary glands and preparing them for milk production. However, estrogen and progesterone inhibit milk secretion during pregnancy by blocking prolactin activity.

At the end of pregnancy:

Progesterone levels fall, which triggers milk secretion.
Suckling by the infant provides the stimulus for continuous milk production.
After delivery, levels of estrogen and progesterone drop due to expulsion of the placenta, allowing prolactin to function effectively.

Correct Answer: Prolactin

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