Hormonal regulation of the cytokine microenvironment in the mammary gland

During the ovarian cycle, the mammary gland epithelium undergoes proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis under the direction of ovarian hormones oestrogen and progesterone (Fata et al., 2001; Ramakrishnan et al., 2002), and this cellular turnover has been linked to the high susceptibility of the mammary gland to tumour formation (Ramakrishnan et al., 2002). During the oestrus phase of the cycle, the mammary epithelium exhibits a basic ductal structure. As serum progesterone rises, secondary branching and alveolar bud development occur, with alveolar bud appearance predominantly during dioestrus (Fata et al., 2001).

Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - July 30, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Pallave Dasari, David J. Sharkey, Effarina Noordin, Danielle J. Glynn, Leigh J. Hodson, Peck Y. Chin, Andreas Evdokiou, Sarah A. Robertson, Wendy V. Ingman Source Type: research