Physiological changes in breast during pregnancy

1.

Crimea Federal University named after S. I.
Georgievsky
Topic : Physiological changes in breast during
pregnancy
Teacher :Kamilova Irina Kaharovna
Name : Chauhan Dhruva Rameshbhai
Group no. -173 B

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Content :
• Anatomy of brest
• Hormonal change in breast during pregnancy
• Structural changes in breast during pregnancy

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Anatomy of Normal Adult breast
The breast are bilateral glandular structures which are considered as accessory
reproductive organs as they are concerned with lactation following the childbirth.
Breast usually extends from second to sixth rib in midclavicular line
It lies in subcutaneous tissue over fascia covering pectorals major or even beyond to lie
over serratus anterior and external oblique muscles
There is areola placed in the center of the breast and it is pigmented and is about 2.5cm
in diameter and it contains sebaceous glands and few involuntary muscles.
The muscular projection covered by pigmented skin is called Nipple which has a vascular
supply and due to its unstriped muscles it is erectile and it accomodates the opening of
15-20 lactiferous ducts

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Now talking about the breast tisssue, it is composed of nearly 16-20 lobes , the lobes
consists of glandular tissue which secretes milk and the milk is drained into the duct
system which opens at nipple.
Between the lobes there is fibrofatty tissues which are responsible for the softness of the
breast.

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Physiological effects of hormones on breast
during normal pregnancy
During pregnancy there is stimulation of anterior pituitary gland due to which there is more
release of its hormones out of which high concentration of Growth hormone ,
glucocorticoids and oestrogen which stimulate the breast duct to proliferate during
pregnancy .
Progesterone and prolactin stimulate the alveolar growth.
From 3-4 months of pregnancy until the first 30 hours after delivery the breast secrete a
thick , protein rich fluid called Colostrum which is stimulated by prolactin and placental
lactogen.
During pregnancy high levels of oestrogen and progesterone prevent alveolar transcription
of alpha-lactalbumin which is a protein contained in milk and thus preventing full lactation.

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After delivery there is sudden increase in decrease in progesterone and oestrogen levels
which in fact allows the prolactin to act directly on the alveolar cells to stimulate the
synthsis of milk.
Also when the baby is suckling it directly sends impulses to hypothalamus which
stimulate release of prolactin and oxytocin.
Here oxytocin causes the contraction of myoepithelial cells which surrounds lobules to
contract and milk is ejected into the ducts
After the 5th day of delivery the milk production is full which is approximately 500-1000 ml
in 24 hours and as a result it demands additional 500kcal intake per day of that mother.

8.

Structural changes of breast in normal
pregnancy
A woman’s breast structure changes during pregnancy to prepare the breast for
breastfeeding the baby. The normal changes include :
tenderness of nipple and breast
Changes in colour and size of nipples and areola.
There is significant increase in breast size over the course of pregnancy.
There is pronounced appearance of MONTOGOMERY’S tubercles which are also known
as bumps on areola.

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A woman’s breast usually grows 1 to 2 cup size more during the pregnancy due to the
proliferation the lobules which causes hyperplasia of the glandular epithelium.
Once when full lactation begins the breast swell significantly and there will be sensation
of achy pain and breast may be felt as lumpy and heavy also known as engorgement
Size of mother breasts totally depends on how much the child nurses of her mother’s
breast.
After 8-12 weeks of delivery the woman’s breast will reduce in size but will remain usually
1 cup size larger than prior to her pregnancy
The breast size changes may be related to the sex of the infant, as mothers of female
infants have greater changes in breast size than mothers of male infant.

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Thank you