Polyphenols and Lactation: Molecular Evidence to Support the Use of Botanical Galactagogues.

Botanicals and herbal supplements contain a diverse array of polyphenols that may affect mammary gland function and promote galactagogue activity. This scoping review is conducted to identify scientific literature elucidating how polyphenols affect mammary gland biology and cellular mechanisms critical for lactation. A literature search of PubMed and Medline reviews relevant studies in dairy animals, rodent models, and cultured mammary epithelial cells that are published from January 2010 until July 2023, to ascertain effects of polyphenols on mechanisms regulating milk production and composition. The PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Review) strategy is applied and 80 studies on polyphenols and their implications on milk production and composition are included in this review. Limited information delineating effects of polyphenols on the molecular pathways that affect lactation are found, although available information suggests modulation of Stat5 signaling/differentiation, Stat3 signaling/remodeling, mTOR and insulin signaling/energy production, and nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκß) signaling/oxidative stress and inflammation may play roles. A profound lack of mechanistic information underscores the critical need for further research to understand the impact of botanical supplements and polyphenols on milk production and composition in humans to establish maternal nutritional guidelines to support lactation and breastfeeding goals.

Novel Lactation Induction Protocol for a Transgender Woman Wishing to Breastfeed: A Case Report.

Background: Lactation induction in transgender women is a clinical and research priority in the field of breastfeeding medicine. To date, there are four case reports detailing successful induced lactation in transgender patients who wished to breastfeed. The Academy of Breast Feeding Medicine does not formally recommend a specific medication regimen for transgender patients due to lack of high-quality research. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old transgender woman with a hypercoagulable disorder who was able to lactate and breastfeed with novel hormone regimen management at a gender care clinic. Her baseline hormone treatment was an estradiol 0.3 mg transdermal patch every 72 hours and micronized progesterone 200 mg daily. Results: Within four weeks of initiating a modified hormone regimen (estradiol 0.4 mg patch every 72 hours, progesterone 300 mg daily, metoclopramide 10 mg three times daily), the patient was lactating spontaneously. On multiple occasions, she breastfed and expressed up to 30 mL of milk through pumping. Conclusion: This report offers a new effective hormone regimen for transgender patients who wish to lactate and cannot access domperidone-the galactagogue used in previous case reports. It also provides a review of previously published case reports on this subject. Future research in this field should prioritize cohort studies of transgender patients who desire lactation to further assess patient attitudes, experiences, and outcomes.

Could Education Be the Best Galactagogue? Development and Content Validation of Provider and Patient Checklists to Promote Lactation Among Black Parents.

One of the factors contributing to the disparities still present by race in the United States may be inequitable access to lactation education. In order to ensure that all parents receive the education they deserve to make informed infant feeding decisions, two checklists were created for patient and healthcare professional use, respectively. This paper describes the process of creating and validating the healthcare professional and patient checklists. The authors completed a review of the most recent literature surrounding barriers to lactation initiation and retention in the Black community to create the initial version of the checklists. Expert consultation was then utilized to assess their content validity. Local healthcare providers unanimously agreed that pregnant and postpartum parents need more education and support than currently provided. The consulted experts described the two checklists as useful and comprehensive and offered feedback for their revision and optimization. Implementing these checklists offer the possibility of increasing provider accountability in delivering adequate lactation education and enhancing client lactation knowledge and self-efficacy. Further research is needed to assess the effect of implementation of the checklists in a healthcare setting.

Indução da lactação em mulheres nuligestas: relato de experiência / Inducción de la lactancia en mujeres nuligestas: informe de experiencia / Lactation induction in women who never got pregnant: experience report

Resumo Objetivo relatar a experiência de indução da lactação em nuligestas realizada por enfermeira consultora em aleitamento. Método relato de experiência. O processo de indução láctea foi realizado com três mulheres por motivo de gestação em útero de substituição e relacionamento homoafetivo. Resultados todas perceberam o aumento de tamanho e a sensibilidade nas mamas, bem como apresentaram secreção láctea. No entanto, a continuidade da amamentação foi diferenciada entre elas. A primeira não recebeu apoio de profissionais de saúde no contexto de pós-parto hospitalar, nem em casa, e não deu continuidade à amamentação. A segunda recebeu apoio da equipe do hospital e da parceira, amamentando por três meses. A terceira, com o apoio da parceira, amamentou por dois meses, mas interrompeu por sentir-se inibida por familiares. Conclusão e implicações para a prática a técnica de indução é capaz de desencadear a produção láctea. Já o processo de amamentação só se estabeleceu mediante a associação com a rede de apoio, o acolhimento, o incentivo da equipe de saúde e o olhar integral à mulher e sua família. Dessa forma, o cuidado de Enfermagem na indução láctea não deve focar apenas no manejo da indução, mas transcender o aspecto técnico, o que se mostra como fundamental para a proteção, o estabelecimento e a continuidade da amamentação.

Resumen Objetivo reportar la experiencia de inducir la lactancia en nuligestas realizada por una consultora de enfermería en lactancia materna. Método relato de experiencia. El proceso de inducción de la leche se realizó con tres mujeres por embarazo en útero de reemplazo y relación homoafectiva. Resultados todas notaron el aumento de tamaño y la sensibilidad en las mamas, además de presentar secreción de leche. Sin embargo, la continuidad de la lactancia materna se diferencia entre ellos. La primera no recibió apoyo de los profesionales de la salud en el contexto posparto hospitalario, ni en el domicilio, y no continuó con la lactancia. La segunda recibió apoyo del personal del hospital y su pareja, amamantando durante tres meses. La tercera, con el apoyo de su pareja, amamantó durante dos meses, pero la interrumpió porque se sentía inhibida por familiares. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica la técnica de inducción es capaz de desencadenar la producción de leche. El proceso de lactancia materna, en cambio, solo se estableció a través de la asociación con la red de apoyo, la acogida, el estímulo del equipo de salud y la mirada integral a la mujer y su familia. Así, el cuidado de Enfermería en la inducción de la leche no debe enfocarse solo en el manejo de la inducción, sino trascender el aspecto técnico, que se muestra fundamental para la protección, el establecimiento y la continuidad de la lactancia materna.

Abstract Objective to report the experience of lactation induction in women who never got pregnant by a lactation consultant nurse. Method experience report. The process of lactation induction was performed with three women due to surrogate pregnancy and homosexual relationships. Results all noticed an increase in the size and sensitivity of the breasts, as well as milk secretion. However, the continuity of breastfeeding was different between them. The first did not receive support from health professionals in the postpartum hospital setting, nor at home, and did not continue breastfeeding. The second received support from the hospital staff and her partner, breastfeeding for three months. The third, with the support of her partner, breastfed for two months, but stopped because she felt inhibited by family members. Conclusion and implications for practice the induction technique is capable of triggering milk production. However, the breastfeeding process was only established through the association with the support network, the reception, the encouragement of the health team, and the comprehensive view of the woman and her family. Thus, nursing care in lactation induction should not focus only on the management of induction, but transcend the technical aspect, which is essential for the protection, establishment, and continuity of breastfeeding.

Global survey of medicinal plants during lactation and postpartum recovery: Evolutionary perspectives and contemporary health implications.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cross-cultural comparison of plants used during lactation and the postpartum period offers insight into a largely overlooked area of ethnopharmacological research. Potential roles of phytochemicals in emerging models of interaction among immunity, inflammation, microbiome and nervous system effects on perinatal development have relevance for the life-long health of individuals and of populations in both traditional and contemporary contexts. AIM OF THE STUDY: Delineate and interpret patterns of traditional and contemporary global use of medicinal plants ingested by mothers during the postpartum period relative to phytochemical activity on immune development and gastrointestinal microbiome of breastfed infants, and on maternal health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published reviews and surveys on galactagogues and postpartum recovery practices plus ethnobotanical studies from around the world were used to identify and rank plants, and ascertain regional use patterns. Scientific literature for 20 most-cited plants based on frequency of publication was assessed for antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidepressant, analgesic, galactagogic and safety properties. RESULTS: From compilation of 4418 use reports related to 1948 species, 105 plant taxa were recorded ≥7 times, with the most frequently cited species, Foeniculum vulgare, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Pimpinella anisum, Euphorbia hirta and Asparagus racemosus, 81, 64, 42, 40 and 38 times, respectively. Species and use vary globally, illustrated by the pattern of aromatic plants of culinary importance versus latex-producing plants utilized in North Africa/Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa with opposing predominance. For 18/20 of the plants a risk/benefit perspective supports assessment that positive immunomodulation and related potential exceed any safety concerns. Published evidence does not support a lactation-enhancing effect for nearly all the most-cited plants while antidepressant data for the majority of plants are predominately limited to animal studies. CONCLUSIONS: Within a biocultural context traditional postpartum plant use serves adaptive functions for the mother-infant dyad and contributes phytochemicals absent in most contemporary diets and patterns of ingestion, with potential impacts on allergic, inflammatory and other conditions. Polyphenolics and other phytochemicals are widely immunologically active, present in breast milk and predominately non-toxic. Systematic analysis of phytochemicals in human milk, infant lumen and plasma, and immunomodulatory studies that differentiate maternal ingestion during lactation from pregnancy, are needed. Potential herb-drug interaction and other adverse effects should remain central to obstetric advising, but unless a plant is specifically shown as harmful, considering potential contributions to health of individuals and populations, blanket advisories against postpartum herbal use during lactation appear empirically unwarranted.

Induced Lactation in a Mother Through Surrogacy With Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS).

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding offers the optimal feeding option for newborns in terms of nutritional content and reinforces mother-infant bonding. As a physiological process intrinsically linked to parturition, breastfeeding is no longer reserved for puerperal mothers. Progress in understanding the intricacies of lactogenesis and breastfeeding has further paved the way for artificially induced lactation in recent years. MAIN ISSUES: We describe the case of a mother through surrogacy with XY karyotype and complete androgen insensitivity syndrome who wished to breastfeed her child. MANAGEMENT: Through a combination of estrogen therapy, galactagogues, and mechanical breast stimulation she was able to partially breastfeed her child for one month. CONCLUSION: This case further shifts the concept that breastfeeding is a physiological process confined to only puerperal mothers and offers an opportunity to a wider group of nontraditional mothers to take part in the unique experience of breastfeeding.

Preparation optimization and characterization of chitosan-tripolyphosphate microcapsules for the encapsulation of herbal galactagogue extract.

Herbs have a long history of use as galactagogues and several commercial formulations have been prepared using herbs. Several active substances such as polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavones and terpenes are present in the herbal formulations that produce unpleasant taste and decreases consumption of the products. Furthermore, some of these active compounds are unstable when exposed to environmental conditions. In this respect, different approaches can be utilized in order to mask the taste and increase the stability of core substances such as microencapsulation. In the present study, microcapsules containing galactagogue herbs extract were developed through ionotropic gelation and Box-Behnken design was used to investigate the effects of independent variables (chitosan (CS): 1-2%, extract: 1-5% and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP): 1-3%) on encapsulation efficiency (EE%). Following evaluation of the model, the optimum condition of encapsulation process was selected as 1.19% chitosan, 2.69% extract and 2.08% TPP with EE% of 83.054%. Microcapsules had an acceptable spherical morphology and the results of Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of the extract within the microcapsules. The mean diameters of CS-TPP microcapsules containing extract was 27 µm with polydispersity index of 0.53, indicative of polydisperse nature of the microcapsules. The in vitro release in simulated gastric fluid (SGF; pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF; pH 7.4) were 55.19% and 85.04%, respectively during 24 h. The freeze-dried extract-loaded microcapsules were stable during 150 days of storage and have potential to be used in food matrices with neutral pH.

Repeated evolution of cytochrome P450-mediated spiroketal steroid biosynthesis in plants.

Diosgenin is a spiroketal steroidal natural product extracted from plants and used as the single most important precursor for the world steroid hormone industry. The sporadic occurrences of diosgenin in distantly related plants imply possible independent biosynthetic origins. The characteristic 5,6-spiroketal moiety in diosgenin is reminiscent of the spiroketal moiety present in anthelmintic avermectins isolated from actinomycete bacteria. How plants gained the ability to biosynthesize spiroketal natural products is unknown. Here, we report the diosgenin-biosynthetic pathways in himalayan paris (Paris polyphylla), a monocot medicinal plant with hemostatic and antibacterial properties, and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), an eudicot culinary herb plant commonly used as a galactagogue. Both plants have independently recruited pairs of cytochromes P450 that catalyze oxidative 5,6-spiroketalization of cholesterol to produce diosgenin, with evolutionary progenitors traced to conserved phytohormone metabolism. This study paves the way for engineering the production of diosgenin and derived analogs in heterologous hosts.

Factors associated to breast implants and breastfeeding. / Fatores associados à mamoplastia de aumento e o aleitamento materno.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the surgical characteristics of breast implants, time elapsed since surgery, access route, implant placement and implanted volume and variables related to breastfeeding, type, first 'milk let-down', breast engorgement, pain, lesion, milk production and use of galactagogues. METHOD: A prospective cohort carried out during the hospital stay (12 to 72 hours after delivery), home care (5thto 7thday after delivery) and telephone contact (between the 30thand 32ndday postpartum) of 115 postpartum women with breast implants between 2015 and 2017. RESULTS: The first evaluation identified more frequent use of oral galactagogues (p=0.029) by puerperal women with prepectoral implants, and of oxytocin spray by those with implants up to 270 ml (p=0.040). The second evaluation showed a higher pain score among those with prepectoral implants (p=0.046). Around the 30thday postpartum, the presence of nipple lesion (p=0.021), pain (p=0.025) and a higher pain score (p=0.039) was more frequent among those with mammoplasty performed less than 10 years ago. CONCLUSION: The presence of pain and a higher pain score, the occurrence of lesion and the use of oral and nasal galactagogues were associated with implant placement, implant size and time elapsed since surgery.

Lactogenic Activity of an Enzymatic Hydrolysate from Octopus vulgaris and Carica papaya in SD Rats.

The traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that octopus papaya soup can stimulate milk production in lactating women. The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation with an enzymatic hydrolysate of Octopus vulgaris and Carica papaya (EHOC) could increase milk production and nutritional indexes in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Female SD rats (n = 24) were fed a control diet (n = 8), EHOC-supplemented diet, or a positive control diet (Shengruzhi) from day 10 of pregnancy to day 10 of lactation. Maternal serum, mammary gland (day 10 of lactation), milk, and pup weight (daily) were collected for analysis. Results showed that the EHOC diet obviously elevated daily milk yield and pup weight compared to the control group (P < .05). The EHOC diet was found to increase the concentration of prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), and growth hormone (GH) significantly in the circulation and mammary gland. Mammary glands of EHOC-treated dams showed clear lobuloalveolar development and proliferation of myoepithelial cells, but no striking variations were observed among the groups. Furthermore, the nutrition content and immune globulin concentration in the milk of EHOC-supplemented dams were higher than those of the control group, especially the cholesterol, glucose, and IgG were higher by 44.98% (P < .001), 42.76% (P < .01), and 42.23% (P < .01), respectively. In conclusion, this article demonstrates that EHOC administration has beneficial effects on milk production in the dams and on performance of the dam and pup. These results indicate that EHOC could be explored as a potentially lactogenic nutriment for lactating women.

Effects of maternal exposure to the galactagogue Sulpiride on reproductive parameters in female rats.

The antipsychotic Sulpiride has been documented as an effective galactagogue that acts blocking dopamine receptors, increasing prolactin concentrations. However, this drug passes through the milk exposing neonates during postnatal development, which may result in functional and morphological alterations in adult life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal exposure to Sulpiride during lactation could impair reproductive development of female offspring. The dams were treated daily by gavage with Sulpiride doses of 2.5mg/Kg (SUL 2.5mg group) and 25mg/Kg (SUL 25mg group), or distilled water (Control group) throughout the lactation period. During early life, body weight, anogenital distance, and vaginal opening were analyzed on the female offspring. In adulthood, estrous cycle, sexual behavior, estrogen levels as well as the weight of the reproductive organs were evaluated. There were no differences regarding body weight, anogenital distance, puberty onset, frequency and duration of the estrous cycle and estradiol levels on female offspring. Nonetheless, there were changes in sexual behavior. There was an increase in the number of observations in reflex magnitude 0 (absence of lordosis) and reflex magnitude 2 as well as a reduction of reflex magnitude 3 in the rats of SUL 25mg group in relation to the Control group, suggesting a decrease in sexual receptivity of these animals. These results demonstrate that maternal exposure to Sulpiride can alter reproductive function in female offspring rats.

Uso de galactogogos no manejo da amamentação: revisão integrativa da literatura / Uso de galactogogos en el manejo de la lactancia materna: revisión integradora de la literatura / Use of galactogogues in breastfeeding management: integrative literature review

Objective: Identifying the available evidence in the literature about galactogogues substances (liquids, herbs or foods with properties to increase milk production). Method: an integrative literature review that surveyed the bases BDENF, LILACS and MEDLINE with the descriptors "lactation disorders", "breastfeeding", "galactogogues," in portuguese, english and spanish, until the year 2011. The final sample was formed of 27 articles. Results: the most prevalent galactogogues were: black beer, hydration, hominy, chicken soup, metoclopramide, chlorpromazine, domperidone, fenugreek and fennel. Conclusion: the culture permeates practice of breastfeeding and therefore must be considered by health professionals in guidance and encouragement to breastfeeding...

Objetivo: Identificar as evidências disponíveis na literatura sobre substâncias galactogogas (líquidos, ervas ou alimentos com propriedades de aumentar a produção láctea). Método: revisão integrativa da literatura que pesquisou as bases BDENF, LILACS e MEDLINE com os descritores: “transtornos da lactação”,“aleitamento materno”, “galactogogos”, em português, inglês e espanhol, até o ano 2011. A amostra final foi de 27 artigos. Resultados: os galactogogos de maior prevalência foram: a cerveja preta, a hidratação, a canjica, a canja de galinha, a metoclopramida, a clorpromazina, a domperidona, o feno-grego e o funcho. Conclusão: o universo cultural permeia a prática do aleitamento materno e, portanto, deve ser contemplado pelos profissionais de saúde na orientação e no incentivo à amamentação...

Objetivo: Identificar las evidencias disponibles en la literatura sobre las sustancias galactogogas (líquidos, hierbas o alimentos con propiedades para aumentar la producción de leche). Método: es una revisión integradora de la literatura que examino las bases BDENF, LILACS y MEDLINE utilizando los descriptores: "trastornos de la lactancia", "lactancia materna", "galactogogos" en portugués, inglés y español, hasta el año 2011. La muestra final fue de 27 artículos. Resultados: los galactogogos más prevalentes fueron: la cerveza negra, la hidratación, sémola de maíz, sopa de pollo, metoclopramida, clorpromazina, domperidona, fenogreco y el hinojo. Conclusión: el universo cultural impregna la práctica de la lactancia materna y por lo tanto deben ser considerados por los profesionales de la salud en la orientación y estímulo a la lactancia materna...

Unsolved Mysteries of the Human Mammary Gland: Defining and Redefining the Critical Questions from the Lactation Consultant's Perspective.

Despite advances in knowledge about human lactation, clinicians face many problems when advising mothers who are experiencing breastfeeding difficulties that do not respond to normal management strategies. Primary insufficient milk production is now being acknowledged, but incidence rates have not been well studied. Many women have known histories of infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction, hyperandrogenism or other hormonal imbalances, while others have no obvious risk factors. Some present with obviously abnormal breasts that are pubescent, tuberous/tubular or asymmetric in shape, raising the question of insufficient mammary gland tissue. Other women have breasts that appear within normal limits yet do not lactate normally. Endocrine disruptors may underlie some of these cases but their impact on human milk production has not been well explored. Similarly, any problem with prolactin such as a deficiency in serum prolactin or receptor number, receptor resistance, or poor bioavailability or bioactivity could underlie some cases of insufficient lactation, yet these possibilities are rarely investigated. A weak or suppressed milk ejection reflex, often assumed to be psychosomatic, could be related to thyroid dysfunction or caused by downstream post-receptor pathway problems. In the absence of sufficient data regarding these situations, desperate mothers may turn to non-evidence-based remedies, sometimes at considerable cost and unknown risk. Research targeted to these clinical dilemmas is critical in order to develop evidence-based strategies and increase breastfeeding duration and success rates.

Successful relactation--a case history.

A healthy, term male infant was weaned at 10 days postpartum because of his mother's illness. The baby was breastfed by his mother's sister, but mostly he was fed with his aunt's expressed milk and with formula by bottle. At 9 weeks postpartum relactation began. Techniques used were a supplemental nursing support system device; frequent suckle at the breast, supplemented by formula given by bottle; breast pumping; domperidone; and support from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and family. Problems that appeared during relactation were that at 12 postpartum weeks the baby refused the supplemental nursing system device, and at 12 weeks and 3 days he refused the breast; after 3 weeks of relactation, the milk supply was still low, needing supplementation; and in the first week of exclusive breastfeeding, the baby stopped growing, then he gained weight slowly, and his gain fell down to the 15(th) percentile. Solutions and interventions used to solve the problems were usage of an artificial nipple during breast strike for 3 days and cessation of supplementary formula and frequent suckling at the breast. Four days after relactation started, colostrum appeared (for 2 weeks), and within 1 month from the beginning of relactation the baby was fully breastfed. He was exclusively breastfed until 7 months, and he was continually breastfed until 2 years. His growth was good and was around the 50th percentile on the weight/length curve. Thus relactation is possible at 9 weeks postpartum, if the mother's motivation to breastfeed is strong. The best technique to increase milk supply is frequent, short breastfeedings.