HORMONAL-REGULATION OF THE NORMAL BREAST

The breast is a target organ for reproductive hormones but basic knowl edge on hormonal effects is very poor, Available data indicate that th e breast is regulated in a specific manner which is distinct from the endometrium and other target organs. It seems clear that the breast un dergoes cyclic changes during the menstrual cycle and that in vivo the re is a direct stimulatory action of progestogens on the breast. In su rgically postmenopausal female macaques continuous combined estrogen/p rogestogen therapy was found to induce greater proliferation than estr ogen alone.