Lactation
overview
It is widely recognized that breastfeeding improves child development and the long-term health of the mother. Less is known about the hormonal mechanisms that work to ensure successful milk production. We aim to further understand these molecular mechanisms in order to produce better and more evidence-based support for breastfeeding mothers.
The Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Oxford Centre for the Endocrinology of Human Lactation (LRF OCEHL), is based at the Women’s Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital and is led by Prof Fadil Hannan (Centre Director). LRF OCEHL is funded by the Family Larsson Rosenquist Foundation and was established in 2019. LRF OCEHL’s research focuses on the molecular endocrinology of lactation (the hormonal mechanisms or chemicals that control and regulate cells and organs in the production of breastmilk).
LATEST NEWS
Prof Fadil Hannan was awarded the Clinical Endocrinology Trust Best Basic Science Abstract by the Society for Endocrinology (SfE).
You can read an interview with him and learn more about challenges and breakthroughs in his work here.
Meet our Team
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Fadil Hannan
Director of the Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Oxford Centre for the Endocrinology of Human Lactation
01865 222937
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key aims of OCEHL
- Scientific advancement - contributing cutting-edge scientific research on the molecular determinants of successful human milk production;
- Academic collaboration - establishing strong collaborations with leading global institutions, developing large scale bio-repositories and contributing to this growing field of study;
- Public engagement – appealing to and engaging with external public communities, particularly pregnant and new mothers potentially participating in the clinical studies.
Visit the Oxford Centre for the Endocrinology of Human Lactation website here
Research studies
1) Endocrinology of the lactation cycle.
This project will:
- establish reference standards for the major lactation hormones so that we can understand what the hormone levels are in healthy, low risk mothers at each stage of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- investigate how major diseases that affect breastfeeding, such as obesity, diabetes, depression or malnutrition, can influence the levels of lactation hormones;
- determine whether some mothers with low milk production have an underlying lactation hormone disorder.
Image: Overview of the hormones influencing the different phases of the lactation cycle.
Image: Overview of molecular cross-talk between tissues involved in lactation.
The lactating mammary gland secretes parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), which mobilizes Ca2+ from bone for milk production. PTHrP secretion is regulated by the cell-surface Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR).
From: Hannan et al., Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 15: 33-51 (2019).
3. Endocrine communication between mother and child during lactation.
This study will characterize the hormones present in human milk by means of establishing a milk bank which would rely on the generous donation of mothers, for this ground-breaking and necessary research.
Image: Milk mediated maternal-child endocrine communication.
4. Lactation-related health outcomes in the mother and child.
In this project we will set up mother-child cohorts to assess the hormonal changes during lactation, which might influence child growth and development, and also contribute to maternal diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Image: Potential hormonal influences on lactation-related health outcomes.
