The first 48 hours after parturition is a time of major physiological adjustment for mother and baby. Our Research 48 theme focuses on some of the maternal adaptations that prepare the mammary gland for producing milk to nourish and protect the baby.   

• Water flux through the mammary gland increases dramatically after parturition. We are investigating the role of aquaporins in facilitiating and regulating this flux. Read more here
• Our earlier research has shown that some of the mammary secretory cells that proliferate exponentially during pregnancy are lost by apoptosis during the first fews days post partum. We now have data to show that angiogenesis is a very late event in mammary development, which provides a possible explanation for this apparently wasteful process. Our future research will seek to optimise this final phase of lactogenesis