Dee wrote:

<So maybe we'll yet discover there really is something in the breast
that can produce antibodies.>

" . . .Because the paracellular pathway is closed during lactation,
plasma proteins must enter milk via transcytosis . . .The best studied
molecule in this regard is IgA. IgA is synthesixized by plasma cells in
the interstitial spaces of the mammary gland or elsewhere in the body . .
. . ." Much more detail and fascinating reading in this article.

Neville MC, Physiology of Lactation, Clinics in Perinatology, Vol. 26, No
2, June 1999, p. 251-279.

Dee also says:
<After all, we used to think there were milk sinuses and now we know
there aren't, >

From my point of view, there is not yet sufficient evidence to make such
an "all or nothing" statement. There may not be milk sinuses just like
those which simplistic medical diagrams have previously led us to
imagine. However, pathologists, and breast surgeons have published
electron-microscope pictures and detailed descriptions of lactiferous
sinuses in the resting breast. These segments differ microscopically from
the ducts to which they are attached on both ends, both those ducts that
come from the rest of the breast to meet the lactiferous sinuses as well
as those ducts that go on to exit through the nipple.

Sometime between the resting state and the state of full lactation, there
would seem to occur temporary changes in the lactiferous sinuses (as
there are temporary changes in other reproductive organs during
reproductive stages) that have not been sufficiently studied as yet .
Forensic pathologists are the most likely ones to have the opportunities
to view their cellular makeup under the microscope in the state of
pregnanacy and the state of beginning lactation. I would like to find a
way to interest some of them in doing so. Does anyone have any
suggestions on how to present this challenge to their discipline?

Azzopardi JG, Ahmed A, Millis RR. Nomenclature of the Microanatomy of the
Breast: Parts Affected in Different Diseases: Normal Structure and
Involution, In: Problems in Breast Pathology In: Major Problems in
Pathology, Vol. 11 in series, Bennington JL, Ed., W. B. Saunders Co.
Ltd., London, 1979.

Haagensen CD, Diseases of the Breast, Third Edition,1986 W.B. Saunders
Co, Philadelphia.

Montagna W, Macpherson E, Some Neglected Aspects of the Anatomy of Human
Breasts, J Inv Derm, July 1974, Vol 63;1: p. 10-16.

(These articles also explain a lot about the microscopic aspects and
function of the glands of Montgomery.)

Jean
************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html