International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

Common galactagogues primarily act as dopamine?

1. Receptor activators

2. Inhibitors

3. Agonists

4. Reuptake modifiers

The correct answer is: Inhibitors

Galactagogues are substances that promote lactation, and their action often relates to the interaction with dopamine pathways. Dopamine primarily acts as an inhibitor of prolactin secretion, which is a hormone crucial for milk production. Therefore, the role of common galactagogues usually involves counteracting this inhibitory effect. By acting as inhibitors of dopamine, these galactagogues can increase the availability or action of prolactin, thereby enhancing milk production. For instance, certain herbal and pharmaceutical galactagogues block dopamine receptors or inhibit the release of dopamine, thus facilitating higher levels of prolactin in the bloodstream. This understanding highlights the mechanisms that enhance lactation by addressing the inhibitory nature of dopamine. The overall outcome would be an increase in milk production due to elevated prolactin levels resulting from the inhibition of dopamine's effects.