Lactation Physiology — Reproductive Physiology

Lactation Physiology MCQs: practice questions

Sample Lactation Physiology multiple-choice questions from Reproductive Physiology.

1. A prolactinoma may cause:

   • A. Increased ovulation
   • B. Increased FSH and LH
   • C. Immediate menopause from ovarian destruction
   • D. Increased testosterone in all patients
   • E. Galactorrhea and amenorrhea

2. Despite high prolactin levels during pregnancy, milk secretion is limited because:

   • A. Estrogen and progesterone block prolactin action
   • B. Prolactin receptors are absent
   • C. Oxytocin is absent permanently
   • D. hCG destroys mammary tissue
   • E. FSH inhibits the breast

3. The physiologic role of oxytocin in milk ejection is best described as:

   • A. Contraction of mammary myoepithelial cells
   • B. Development of ovarian follicles
   • C. Suppression of GnRH
   • D. Formation of the corpus luteum
   • E. Synthesis of milk proteins

4. Bromocriptine treats hyperprolactinemia because it acts as a:

   • A. Prolactin agonist
   • B. GnRH antagonist
   • C. FSH antagonist
   • D. Oxytocin agonist
   • E. Dopamine agonist

5. The hormone that is secreted from the posterior pituitary but synthesized in the hypothalamus is:

   • A. Oxytocin
   • B. FSH
   • C. LH
   • D. hCG
   • E. Prolactin

6. The primary hypothalamic nucleus associated with oxytocin production is the:

7. During breastfeeding, the fall in GnRH causes reduced secretion of:

8. If suckling stops abruptly, the expected hormonal changes are:

9. A woman with severe anterior pituitary destruction after delivery would most likely have failure to:

10. The posterior pituitary hormone responsible for milk ejection is:

11. Prolactin suppresses ovulation primarily by decreasing:

12. During pregnancy, prolactin levels rise because estrogen:

13. Oxytocin causes milk ejection by causing contraction of:

14. A woman with hyperprolactinemia develops amenorrhea because prolactin:

15. During lactation, ovulation remains suppressed because prolactin also:

16. Suckling-induced prolactin release supports:

17. A woman has normal milk production but cannot eject milk during nursing. The most likely deficient hormone is:

18. A breastfeeding woman may have reduced fertility because prolactin:

19. Oxytocin is a:

20. Destruction of the hypothalamus can increase prolactin because of loss of:

21. Prolactin is normally inhibited tonically by hypothalamic:

22. Prolactin stimulates production of:

23. A woman has high prolactin but low milk production during pregnancy. The best explanation is:

24. Prolactin is secreted by the:

25. Suckling-induced oxytocin release is an example of:

26. The major stimulus for oxytocin secretion during lactation is:

27. After delivery, the abrupt fall in estrogen and progesterone permits:

28. The anterior pituitary hormone responsible for milk production is:

29. Suckling maintains lactation by stimulating release of:

30. Oxytocin also stimulates: