title: The role of glucocorticoids in secretory activation and milk secretion, a historical perspective.
abstract: In this review we present our current understanding of the role of glucocorticoids in secretory activation and milk secretion by looking at the literature from a historical perspective. We begin with the early endocrine ablation experiments and continue from there to show that glucocorticoids are not just necessary for secretory activation and milk secretion--but mandatory. Specifically, we discuss the importance of glucocorticoids to: (1) induce the formation of ultrastructural components necessary to support milk synthesis and secretion, including rough endoplasmic reticulum and tight junction sealing; (2) regulate milk protein gene expression; and (3) prevent the second phase of involution, possibly by preventing the breakdown of the extracellular matrix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Anthony B290, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. ande1218@msu.edu
authors.forename: Theresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Plaut
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003126:Colostrum / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000266:history* / Q000378:metabolism*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D008892:Milk / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids