Agalactia

Agalactia (Greek gala γαλα, milk ') describes a lack of milk secretion during lactation period.

The reason for the lack of milk secretion can be either a Prolaktinmangel caused by a disturbance in the hypothalamus -pituitary system (eg, hypopituitarism ) or in the mammary gland ( eg, lack of conditioning, developmental disorder, inflammation) are.

In humans,

Usually, the postpartum agalactia in connection with the Sheehan 's syndrome occurs here ( eclampsia or rebleeding in amounts, for example, about one liter ) are serious pregnancy or birth complications triggered hämorraghische or ischiämische infarcts, whereby the cells are destroyed, the for the production of milk necessary hormone prolactin in the pituitary gland produce. The incidence of this syndrome has decreased significantly since its first description in 1938 and occurs due to the significantly improved possibilities of intensive care (especially transfusions ) only in about 0.5 % of all births.

Extremely rarely occurs an isolated Prolaktinmangel that leads to agalactia. It is assumed that genetic causes, treatment options are not known.

Animal diseases

• Mastitis - metritis- agalactia of pigs
• Infectious agalactia of sheep and goats, contagious agalactia of small ruminants (Mycoplasma agalactiae, a mycoplasmosis, notifiable disease in Switzerland)