The role of the nervous system in lactation

Summary

The influence of changes in the condition of the nervous system due to the effect of autonomic agents (pilocarpine, carbocholine, atropine and adrenalin) and thyroldin on the secretion and content of milk in goats and cows was investigated. The above research was carried out together with the study of the secretion of salivary glands, as well as of the tone of the autonomic part of the central nervous system. This gave the opportunity for better understanding of the relationship between the organism as a whole and the mammary gland. It was established by this work that the introduction of pilocarpine and carbocholine into the organism, as well as of the sympathicotropic substances-adrenalin and thyroidin-causes increased secretion and the change of content of milk. Increased quantity of dry residue in milk is the result of increased synthetic activity of the cells of the mammary gland under the influence of excitation of the nervous system by the above substances. Block of the parasymphathetic nerve endings by atropine causes pronounced decrease of milk secretion. However, it is not completely arrested. The process of milking and massage of the udder causes excitation of the central nervous system resulting in reflex increase of salivary secretion. The mammary gland receives impulses which appear due to stimulating effect of milking, sucking and massage. Nervous and nervous humoral mechanisms take part in it under the control of the central nervous system.