This is something I have never heard mentioned before, either by moms or in
print. Maybe just a conversation piece, but I suppose if it happens in other
mammals, then it must also apply to successful lactation in humans,
especially in the case of multiples and tandem nursing.

It would be interesting to see if this has any application to the moms who
have various kinds of gastric surgery for obesity, some of which do not
involve incision of the intestine, and some of which do.

Just curious if anyone has more info on this.

The tables of contents and abstracts on line in this journal indicate just
how deep a subject lactation is and how shallow much of our knowledge as
clinicians must still be. Just read one that says that the pituitary is not
the only tissue that can secrete prolactin. I don't know what I could
possibly do with all the interesting info I am coming across, but
nevertheless, it fascinates me!

It makes me wonder whether our profession might benefit somehow from a
closer relationship and information exchange with the professions of those
who man the microscopes and the test tubes.

Jean

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

K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC

Dayton, OH USA
  Adaptation of the Maternal Intestine During Lactation: Maternal Adaptation
to Lactation

*Author: *Hammond
K.A.1<http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/jomg/1997/00000002/00000003/00425418#aff_1>

*Source:* Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and
Neoplasia<http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/jomg>,
Volume 2, Number 3, 199707, pp. 243-252(10)

*Abstract:*
One of the most dramatic adaptations to lactation is a large increase in the
size and complexity of maternal intestine. Although there are few data on
changes in intestinal size, intestinal enlargement has been observed in many
taxonomic groups. In this review I describe the morphological and
physiological changes in the intestinal mass of lactating animals and
discuss their functional significance. The observed increases maintain the
digestive efficiency of the food, as well as insure adequate absorption of
nutrients in the face of the increased energy demand that accompanies
lactation. The extent of the increase in size is proportional to the
increase in energy demand. It is clear that if the intestine did not
accommodate during lactation mothers would not have the capacity to absorb
the nutrients need to maintain their energy demand.

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