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) was established to address this critical topic. The Centre’s vision is to build a holistic understanding, at the molecular and clinical level, of how hormones regulate human milk production and influence maternal-infant bonding – for the benefit of mothers’ and children’s health globally.
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.
For latest news and details on LRF OCEHL’s research projects please visit the centre’s website.
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Fadil Hannan
Director of the Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Oxford Centre for the Endocrinology of Human Lactation
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Emma Newcombe
LRF OCEHL Project Manager
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Taha Elajnaf
Postdoctoral Researcher
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Hussam Rostom
DPhil Student
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Xin Meng
Postdoctoral Researcher
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Alex Fry
Research Midwife
key aims of OCEHL
The LRF OCEHL aims to achieve its vision by:
- Utilising Oxford University’s world-leading expertise and resources in women’s health research to establish a research centre dedicated to investigating the molecular endocrinology of human lactation
- Applying interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art scientific methodology to investigate the determinants of successful human milk production, whilst generating new molecular tools to assess lactation adequacy
- Defining the lactation-dependent mechanisms regulating maternal and infant health outcomes, focusing on hormones in human milk
- Rapidly translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice
- Establishing strong collaborations with renowned global institutions and large-scale biorepositories accessible to the global research community
- Developing core infrastructure and expertise enabling long-term projects with major translational impact
- Disseminating key findings to the scientific and clinical communities, and the public
The LRF OCEHL Vision
LRF OCEHL will generate knowledge across three research pillars. Each pillar is based on key research and endpoints that will improve human capital in low-resource settings.
Pillar 1: Lactation hormones and their mechanisms of action
Research aims to identify: a) hormones, metabolites and genes involved in lactation; b) endocrine mechanisms regulating lactation; and c) the impact of the mode of delivery, geographical region, age, and preterm birth on maternal hormone concentrations.
Research projects include: The INSIGHT Study
Endpoints: a) New knowledge about hormone action and b) hormone reference standards for women in different settings.
Pillar 2: Maternal health and lactation disorders
Research aims to identify: a) the impact of maternal co-morbidities and medications on the endocrine control of lactation particularly in low-resource settings, and b) the mechanisms by which lactation hormones influence long-term maternal health.
Research projects include: The INSIGHT Study
Endpoints: a) Diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for lactation insufficiency and b) suggestions for strategies that address hormonal disorders affecting human lactation.
Pillar 3: Lactation hormones and infant development
Research aims to identify: a) the range of hormones and bioactive molecules in human milk; b) the influence of human milk hormones on infant development; and c) mechanisms of milk hormone action in infants.
Research projects include: The NECTAR Study
Endpoints: Suggestions for interventions and policies for promoting infant health.
Our research into the biology of lactation will contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG2 - Zero hunger, and SDG3 - Good health and well-being.
