International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What are the three primary hormones responsible for secretory activation in lactogenesis II?

1. Prolactin, estrogen, oxytocin

2. Prolactin, cortisol, insulin

3. Cortisol, progesterone, testosterone

4. Insulin, ghrelin, leptin

The correct answer is: Prolactin, cortisol, insulin

The primary hormones responsible for secretory activation during lactogenesis II are indeed prolactin, estrogen, and oxytocin. Prolactin plays a crucial role as it stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk; its levels rise significantly after childbirth, promoting milk synthesis. Estrogen contributes to the structural development of mammary tissue during pregnancy and prepares the breasts for lactation. Oxytocin is responsible for the milk ejection reflex, helping to release milk from the alveoli into the ducts for breastfeeding. The other hormone combinations do not align primarily with the process of lactogenesis II. While cortisol and insulin do have roles in overall metabolism and may influence lactation indirectly, they are not the central hormones driving the process of milk secretion at this stage. The presence of testosterone in the list is also irrelevant since it doesn't play a significant role in lactation in females. Options listing hormones like ghrelin, leptin, and others are linked more to appetite regulation rather than directly facilitating lactation.