Lactation and the Mammary Gland

* Adequate mammary development and differentiation of the mammary secretory cells of cows, goats, sheep, and camels in order to synthesize and secrete milk is the cornerstone of the dairy industry.
* Lactation is critical to the successful rearing of replacement animals that supply meat and fiber and for many companion animals.
* Human welfare is intimately tied with the mammary gland and lactation especially as reflected in the significance of nursing of infants and breast cancer.
* Research material for a variety of scientific disciplines ranging from cell biology to food chemistry to endocrinology is derived from a study of mammary gland development and function.