Melanin of the nipple areola complex.
Biological pigments or biochromes are ubiquitous in animals, plants, and simpler organisms such as fungi and bacteria. They serve a wide spectrum of functions from photosynthesis, camouflage, mimicry, photo protection from the environment to attracting mates. The human female nipple areola complex (NAC) is a highly-pigmented area. Currently, the prevailing theory as to the evolution of the pigmented human NAC is based on infant recognition of breast feeding latching zone; however, due to the protruding shape of the nipple and surrounding breast, the authors of this letter believe that the evolutionary advantage of the pigmented NAC has a direct physiological function, namely the initiation of involution at the end of the infant lactation period.
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Rome “G.Marconi”, Rome, Italy.
A
A
Goren
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Rome “G.Marconi”, Rome, Italy.|Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Center “Sestre milosrdnice”, Zagreb, Croatia.
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M
Kovacevic
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Rome “G.Marconi”, Rome, Italy.
T
T
Lotti
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009558:Nipples / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D008543:Melanins