werner@aecom.YU.EDU (Craig Werner) (02/03/88)
> >[Prolactin] also causes lactation in male humans, as the LaLeche League (a pro- > breast-feeding organization) will be happy to tell you. I've also heard > claims that human male breasts can be stimulated to produce milk through > massage, but I find that one a bit unlikely. Breast tissue is of two types: lobular and ductal. Both males and females have lobular tissue, and both can potentially lactate. I should point out at this point that the first recorded masectomy (17th c) was performed on a male monk (at this point in history, surgeons - all male - were not allowed to examine unclothed women). However, men lack the ductal system, which of course means that 1) they will never get ductal carcinoma - the most common breast cancer, and 2) they cannot nurse, and lactation will cause only painful swelling as the milk gets trapped. -- Craig Werner (future MD/PhD, 3 years down, 4 to go) werner@aecom.YU.EDU -- Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1935-14E Eastchester Rd., Bronx NY 10461, 212-931-2517) "Low-tech is a lot more effective than low-cal."