Studying for the DAT and have a question...
So the posterior pituitary gland produces oxytocin which can cause the stimulation and secretion of milk in the mammary glands. Is this production due to an effect on the anterior pitutiary to produce prolactin or does it directly effect the mammary gland itself.

I'm pretty sure it's a direct effect. Oxytocin affects the smooth muscle related to milk ejection directly.

So both prolactin and oxytocin effect the mammary gland in different ways. Oxytocin doesnt cause the release of prolactin which causes secretion of milk in mammary

This post was edited by impulse155 on Dec 29 2011 09:20pm

Ya, prolactin is more concerned with the maintenance and initiation of the lactation process; oxytocin is related to milk ejection.

ah gotcha for some reason i thought one was an effector on another.
Is oxytocin only during pregnancy?

Tyvm btw

Np, and oxytocin isn't only present during pregnancy, it's a hormone with a wide range of neurological purposes.

Ty
So about that Parathyroid gland. PTH is used to regulate Ca 2+ conc. PTH can increase Ca 2+ in blood by decreasing bone absorption, makes send.
But it can also do it by decreasing Ca 2+ excretion in the kidney. Is this part correct? why doesnt Ca 2+ get increased?

If you're decreasing the excretion of Ca 2+ in the kidney, then you're allowing less Ca 2+ to be excreted in your urine and you're increasing your Ca 2+ blood concentration.

and then do your glucocorticoids have the same effects in general as glucogon?

Insofar as they both raise blood glucose, yes. Glucocorticoids also decrease protein synthesis though; which is why they are often used to decrease inflammation.