Identify the statements which are correct with respect to lactation.
A. It helps the mother in feeding new born
B. It is triggered by foetal ejection reflex
C. Mammary glands start producing milk towards the end of pregnancy
D. Colostrum milk is rich in antigens.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → A, C only
A. It helps the mother in feeding new born — True.
B. It is triggered by foetal ejection reflex — False. The foetal ejection reflex triggers the release of oxytocin for birth, not lactation.
C. Mammary glands start producing milk towards the end of pregnancy — True.
D. Colostrum milk is rich in antigens. — False. Colostrum is rich in antibodies (IgA).
NCERT Extract:
Parturition and Lactation – “… The mammary glands of the female undergo differentiation during pregnancy and starts producing milk towards the end of pregnancy by the process called lactation. This helps the mother in feeding the newborn. The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation is called colostrum which contains several antibodies absolutely essential to develop resistance for the new-born babies.”
Parturition and Lactation – “… The signals for parturition originate from the fully developed foetus and the placenta which induce mild uterine contractions called foetal ejection reflex. This triggers release of oxytocin from the maternal pituitary.”