Which hormone is responsible for controlling milk production?

The hormone responsible for controlling milk production is prolactin. This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and plays a crucial role in lactation by stimulating the mammary glands to produce milk in response to various factors, including hormonal signals following childbirth. Prolactin levels increase during pregnancy, preparing the breasts for milk production, and remain elevated during breastfeeding to maintain milk supply.

While estrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin are all involved in the broader context of reproduction and childbirth, they have different roles in the process. Estrogen is primarily involved in the development of breast tissue during pregnancy, progesterone supports the maintenance of pregnancy, and oxytocin plays a role in milk ejection rather than production. Thus, prolactin is the key hormone specifically responsible for the initiation and maintenance of milk production in mammals.