Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Inducing lactation: Describes a substance, hormone, or factor that stimulates or promotes the production and secretion of milk in mammals.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Prolactin is the primary lactogenic hormone in mammals.
  • The herbal supplement is believed to have lactogenic properties.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Medical Context: The term is primarily used in biological, medical, and agricultural sciences to describe agents that influence milk production.
  • The study focused on the lactogenic effects of the new drug compound.

Variants and Related Words

• Lactogen (noun): A substance that induces lactation.
  • Prolactin is a key lactogen.
• Lactogenesis (noun): The initiation of milk production.
  • Lactogenesis typically occurs shortly after birth.

Synonyms

• Galactagogue (noun/adjective): A substance that promotes milk flow. (Note: While closely related, "galactagogue" is more commonly used as a noun for the substance itself, whereas "lactogenic" is an adjective describing the property.)
  • Fenugreek is a well-known galactagogue.

Notes on Meaning

• The term is highly specific and technical. It is not typically used in everyday conversation but is standard in professional contexts related to physiology, endocrinology, and animal husbandry.
• It describes a causative or stimulatory action (inducing, promoting) rather than a passive state.

Adjective

1. inducing lactation