breast development

Breast development, also known as mammogenesis, is a complex biological process in primates that takes place throughout a female's life.

It occurs across several phases, including prenatal development, puberty, and pregnancy. At menopause, breast development ceases and the breasts atrophy. Breast development results in prominent and developed structures on the chest known as breasts in primates, which serve primarily as mammary glands. The process is mediated by an assortment of hormones (and growth factors), the most important of which include estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and growth hormone.

Biochemistry

File:Breast anatomy normal scheme.png. {{ordered list |Chest wall |Pectoralis muscles |Lobules |Nipple |Areola |Milk duct |Fatty tissue |Skin}}]]

=Hormones=

The master regulators of breast development are the steroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, growth hormone (GH), mostly via its secretory product, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and prolactin.{{cite journal |vauthors=Hynes NE, Watson CJ |year=2010 |title=Mammary Gland Growth Factors: Roles In Normal Development And In Cancer |journal=Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol |volume=2 |issue=8 |pages=a003186 |doi=10.1101/cshperspect.a003186 |pmc=2908768 |pmid=20554705}}[https://www.lustaci.com/best-breast-enhancement-pills/] These regulators induce the expression of growth factors, such as amphiregulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), IGF-1, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), which in turn have specific roles in breast growth and maturation.

At puberty, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is secreted in a pulsatile manner from the hypothalamus.{{cite book |author1 = Ismail Jatoi |author2 = Manfred Kaufmann |title = Management of Breast Diseases |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nsUBW3-qJ9MC&pg=PA12 |date = 11 February 2010 |publisher = Springer Science & Business Media |isbn = 978-3-540-69743-5 |pages = 12, 27 }}{{cite book |author1 = Ronnie Ann Rosenthal |author2 = Michael E. Zenilman |author3 = Mark R. Katlic |title = Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=7sneBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA325 |date = 29 June 2013 |publisher = Springer Science & Business Media |isbn = 978-1-4757-3432-4 |pages = 325– }} GnRH induces the secretion of the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), from the pituitary gland. The secreted gonadotropins travel through the bloodstream to the ovaries and trigger the secretion of estrogen and progesterone in fluctuating amounts during each menstrual cycle. Growth hormone (GH), which is secreted from the pituitary gland, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is produced in the body in response to GH, are growth-mediating hormones.{{cite book |author1 = Shane Bullock |author2 = Majella Hayes |title = Principles of Pathophysiology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=N3_dBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA349 |date = 20 September 2012 |publisher = Pearson Higher Education AU |isbn = 978-1-4425-1045-6 |pages = 349– }} During prenatal development, infancy, and childhood, GH and IGF-1 levels are low, but progressively increase and reach a peak at puberty,{{cite journal |vauthors = Chong YM, Subramanian A, Sharma AK, Mokbel K |title = The potential clinical applications of insulin-like growth factor-1 ligand in human breast cancer |journal = Anticancer Res. |volume = 27 |issue = 3B |pages = 1617–24 |year = 2007 |pmid = 17595785 }} with a 1.5- to 3-fold increase in pulsatile GH secretion and a 3-fold or greater increase in serum IGF-1 levels being capable of occurring at this time.{{cite journal |vauthors = Shim KS |title = Pubertal growth and epiphyseal fusion |journal = Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab |volume = 20 |issue = 1 |pages = 8–12 |year = 2015 |pmid = 25883921 |pmc = 4397276 |doi = 10.6065/apem.2015.20.1.8 }} In late adolescence and early adulthood, GH and IGF-1 levels significantly decrease,{{cite book |author1 = Jaak Jürimäe |author2 = Andrew P. Hills |author3 = T. Jürimäe |title = Cytokines, Growth Mediators, and Physical Activity in Children During Puberty |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=yqDQGE5uTIsC&pg=PA5 |date = 1 January 2010 |publisher = Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers |isbn = 978-3-8055-9558-2 |pages = 5– }} and continue to decrease throughout the rest of life. It has been found that both estrogen and GH are essential for breast development at puberty – in the absence of either, no development will take place. Moreover, most of the role of GH in breast development has been found to be mediated by its induction of IGF-1 production and secretion, as IGF-1 administration rescues breast development in the absence of GH. GH induction of IGF-1 production and secretion occurs in almost all types of tissue in the body, but especially in the liver, which is the source of approximately 80% of circulating IGF-1,{{cite book |author = Pauline M. Camacho |title = Evidence-Based Endocrinology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=s06wXkPAnfcC&pg=PA20 |date = 26 September 2012 |publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn = 978-1-4511-7146-4 |pages = 20, 98 }} as well as locally in the breasts.{{cite journal |vauthors = Kleinberg DL, Ruan W |title = IGF-I, GH, and sex steroid effects in normal mammary gland development |journal = J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia |volume = 13 |issue = 4 |pages = 353–60 |year = 2008 |pmid = 19034633 |doi = 10.1007/s10911-008-9103-7 |s2cid = 24786346 }} Although IGF-1 is responsible for most of the role of GH in mediating breast development, GH itself has been found to play a direct, augmenting role as well, as it increases estrogen receptor (ER) expression in breast stromal (connective) tissue, while IGF-1, in contrast, has been found to not do this.{{cite journal |vauthors = Feldman M, Ruan W, Tappin I, Wieczorek R, Kleinberg DL |title = The effect of GH on estrogen receptor expression in the rat mammary gland |journal = J. Endocrinol. |volume = 163 |issue = 3 |pages = 515–22 |year = 1999 |pmid = 10588825 |doi = 10.1677/joe.0.1630515 |doi-access = free }}{{cite journal |last1 = Felice |first1 = Dana L. |last2 = El-Shennawy |first2 = Lamiaa |last3 = Zhao |first3 = Shuangping |last4 = Lantvit |first4 = Daniel L. |last5 = Shen |first5 = Qi |last6 = Unterman |first6 = Terry G. |last7 = Swanson |first7 = Steven M. |last8 = Frasor |first8 = Jonna |title = Growth Hormone Potentiates 17β-Estradiol-Dependent Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation Independently of IGF-I Receptor Signaling |journal = Endocrinology |volume = 154 |issue = 9 |year = 2013 |pages = 3219–3227 |issn = 0013-7227 |doi = 10.1210/en.2012-2208 |pmid = 23782942 |pmc = 3749474 }} In addition to estrogen and GH/IGF-1 both being essential for pubertal breast development, they are synergistic in bringing it about.{{cite journal |vauthors = Ruan W, Kleinberg DL |title = Insulin-like growth factor I is essential for terminal end bud formation and ductal morphogenesis during mammary development |journal = Endocrinology |volume = 140 |issue = 11 |pages = 5075–81 |year = 1999 |pmid = 10537134 |doi = 10.1210/endo.140.11.7095 |doi-access = free }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Kleinberg DL, Feldman M, Ruan W |title = IGF-I: an essential factor in terminal end bud formation and ductal morphogenesis |journal = J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia |volume = 5 |issue = 1 |pages = 7–17 |year = 2000 |pmid = 10791764 |doi = 10.1023/A:1009507030633|s2cid = 25656770 }}{{Cite journal |title = Hormone Action in the Mammary Gland |author1 = Brisken |author2 = Malley |doi = 10.1101/cshperspect.a003178 |date = 2 December 2010 |pmc = 2982168 |volume = 2 |issue = 12 |pages = a003178 |journal = Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology |pmid = 20739412 }}

Despite the apparent necessity of GH/IGF-1 signaling in pubertal breast development however, women with Laron syndrome, in whom the growth hormone receptor (GHR) is defective and insensitive to GH and serum IGF-1 levels are very low, puberty, including breast development, is delayed, although full sexual maturity is always eventually reached.{{cite book|author1=Zvi Laron|author2=J. Kopchick|title=Laron Syndrome - From Man to Mouse: Lessons from Clinical and Experimental Experience|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=THLPdLG4000C&pg=PA113|date=25 November 2010|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-642-11183-9|pages=113, 498}} Moreover, breast development and size are normal (albeit delayed) in spite of GH/IGF-1 axis insufficiency, and in some the breasts may actually be large in relation to body size.{{cite journal|last1=Laron|first1=Zvi|title=Laron Syndrome (Primary Growth Hormone Resistance or Insensitivity): The Personal Experience 1958–2003|journal=J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.|volume=89|issue=3|year=2004|pages=1031–1044|issn=0021-972X|doi=10.1210/jc.2003-031033|pmid=15001582|doi-access=free}} The relatively large breasts in women with Laron syndrome have been suggested to be due to increased secretion of prolactin (which is known to produce breast enlargement) caused by a drift phenomenon from somatomammotrophic cells in the pituitary gland with a high GH secretion. An animal model of Laron syndrome, the GHR knockout mouse, shows severely impaired ductal outgrowth at 11 weeks of age.{{cite journal|last1=Brisken|first1=Cathrin|journal=J. Mammary Gland Biol. Neoplasia|title=Hormonal Control of Alveolar Development and Its Implications for Breast Carcinogenesis|volume=7|issue=1|year=2002|pages=39–48|issn=1083-3021|doi=10.1023/A:1015718406329|pmid=12160085|s2cid=44890249}}{{cite journal|last1=McNally|first1=Sara|last2=Martin|first2=Finian|title=Molecular regulators of pubertal mammary gland development|journal=Ann. Med.|volume=43|issue=3|year=2011|pages=212–234|issn=0785-3890|doi=10.3109/07853890.2011.554425|pmid=21417804|s2cid=40695236}}{{cite journal | vauthors = Zhou Y, Xu BC, Maheshwari HG, He L, Reed M, Lozykowski M, Okada S, Cataldo L, Coschigamo K, Wagner TE, Baumann G, Kopchick JJ | title = A mammalian model for Laron syndrome produced by targeted disruption of the mouse growth hormone receptor/binding protein gene (the Laron mouse) | journal = Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. | volume = 94 | issue = 24 | pages = 13215–20 | year = 1997 | pmid = 9371826 | pmc = 24289 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.94.24.13215| bibcode = 1997PNAS...9413215Z | doi-access = free }} However, by 15 weeks, ductal development has caught up with that of normal mice and the ducts have fully distributed throughout the mammary fat pad, although the ducts remain narrower than those of wild-type mice. In any case, female GHR knockout mice can lactate normally. As such, it has been said that the phenotypes of women with Laron syndrome and GHR knockout mice are identical, with diminished body size and delayed sexual maturation accompanied by normal lactation. These data indicate that very low circulating levels of IGF-1 can nonetheless allow for full pubertal breast development.

File:Female breasts five Tanner stages.jpg of breast development.]]

Development of the breasts during the prenatal stage of life is independent of biological sex and sex hormones.{{cite book |author = Leonard R. Johnson |title = Essential Medical Physiology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=j9e-tkdHeUoC&pg=PA770 |year = 2003 |publisher = Academic Press |isbn = 978-0-12-387584-6 |pages = 770 }} During embryonic development, the breast buds, in which networks of tubules are formed, are generated from the ectoderm.{{cite book |author1 = Anthony W. Norman |author2 = Helen L. Henry |title = Hormones |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=_renonjXq68C&pg=PA311 |date = 30 July 2014 |publisher = Academic Press |isbn = 978-0-08-091906-5 |pages = 311 }} These rudimentary tubules will eventually become the matured lactiferous (milk) ducts, which connect the lobules (milk "containers") of the breast, grape-like clusters of alveoli, to the nipples.{{cite book |author = Susan Blackburn |title = Maternal, Fetal, & Neonatal Physiology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=RNLsAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA146 |date = 14 April 2014 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-0-323-29296-2 |pages = 146– }} Until puberty, the tubule networks of the breast buds remain rudimentary and quiescent, and the male and female breast do not show any differences. During puberty in females, estrogen, in conjunction with GH/IGF-1, through activation of ERα specifically (and notably not ERβ or GPER),{{cite book |author1 = Jerome Frank Strauss |author2 = Robert L. Barbieri |title = Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KZ95AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA236 |date = 13 September 2013 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-1-4557-2758-2 |pages = 236– }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Scaling AL, Prossnitz ER, Hathaway HJ |title = GPER mediates estrogen-induced signaling and proliferation in human breast epithelial cells and normal and malignant breast |journal = Horm Cancer |volume = 5 |issue = 3 |pages = 146–60 |year = 2014 |pmid = 24718936 |pmc = 4091989 |doi = 10.1007/s12672-014-0174-1 }} causes growth of and transformation of the tubules into the matured ductal system of the breasts.{{cite book|last1=Coad|first1=Jane|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OmSKoYD-iW0C&pg=PA413|title=Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives, with Pageburst online access,3: Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives|last2=Dunstall|first2=Melvyn|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|year=2011|isbn=978-0-7020-3489-3|pages=413|authorlink1=Jane Coad}} Under the influence of estrogen, the ducts sprout and elongate, and terminal end buds (TEBs), bulbous structures at the tips of the ducts, penetrate into the fat pad and branch as the ducts elongate. This continues until a tree-like network of branched ducts that is embedded into and fills the entire fat pad of the breast is formed. In addition to its role in mediating ductal development, estrogen causes stromal tissue to grow and adipose (fat) tissue to accumulate, as well as the nipple-areolar complex to increase in size.{{cite book |author = Elmar P. Sakala |title = Obstetrics and Gynecology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=2HUTP0JTPVUC&pg=PA376 |year = 2000 |publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn = 978-0-683-30743-6 |pages = 376– }}

Progesterone, in conjunction with GH/IGF-1 similarly to estrogen, affects the development of the breasts during puberty and thereafter as well. To a lesser extent than estrogen, progesterone contributes to ductal development at this time, as evidenced by the findings that progesterone receptor (PR) knockout mice or mice treated with the PR antagonist mifepristone show delayed (albeit eventually normal, due to estrogen acting on its own) ductal growth during puberty and by the fact that progesterone has been found to induce ductal growth on its own in the mouse mammary gland mainly via the induction of the expression of amphiregulin, the same growth factor that estrogen primarily induces to mediate its actions on ductal development.{{cite journal |vauthors = Aupperlee MD, Leipprandt JR, Bennett JM, Schwartz RC, Haslam SZ |title = Amphiregulin mediates progesterone-induced mammary ductal development during puberty |journal = Breast Cancer Res. |volume = 15 |issue = 3 |pages = R44 |year = 2013 |pmid = 23705924 |pmc = 3738150 |doi = 10.1186/bcr3431 |doi-access = free }} In addition, progesterone produces modest lobuloalveolar development (alveolar bud formation or ductal sidebranching) starting at puberty, specifically through activation of PRB (and notably not PRA),{{cite book |author1 = Sandra Z. Haslam |author2 = Janet R. Osuch |title = Hormones and Breast Cancer in Post-Menopausal Women |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wGaKtDw50K0C&pg=PA42 |date = 1 January 2006 |publisher = IOS Press |isbn = 978-1-58603-653-9 |pages = 42, 69 }} with growth and regression of the alveoli occurring to some degree with each menstrual cycle. However, only rudimentary alveoli develop in response to pre-pregnancy levels of progesterone and estrogen, and lobuloalveolar development will remain at this stage until pregnancy occurs, if it does. In addition to GH/IGF-1, estrogen is required for progesterone to affect the breasts, as estrogen primes the breasts by inducing the expression of the progesterone receptor (PR) in breast epithelial tissue. In contrast to the case of the PR, ER expression in the breast is stable and differs relatively little in the contexts of reproductive status, stage of the menstrual cycle, or exogenous hormonal therapy.

During pregnancy, pronounced breast growth and maturation occurs in preparation of lactation and breastfeeding.{{cite book |author1 = Susan Scott Ricci |author2 = Terri Kyle |title = Maternity and Pediatric Nursing |url = https://archive.org/details/maternitypediatr0000ricc |url-access = registration |year = 2009 |publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn = 978-0-7817-8055-1 |pages = [https://archive.org/details/maternitypediatr0000ricc/page/435 435]– }}{{cite book |author = James W. Wood |title = Dynamics of Human Reproduction: Biology, Biometry, Demography |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=I0_SrDBNy24C&pg=PA333 |publisher = Transaction Publishers |isbn = 978-0-202-36570-1 |pages = 333– }} Estrogen and progesterone levels increase dramatically, reaching levels by late pregnancy that are several hundred-fold higher than usual menstrual cycle levels.{{cite book |author = Horst-Dieter Dellmann |title = Comparative Endocrinology of Prolactin |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=45jTBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA181 |date = 9 March 2013 |publisher = Springer Science & Business Media |isbn = 978-1-4615-6675-5 |pages = 181– }} Estrogen and progesterone cause the secretion of high levels of prolactin from the anterior pituitary,{{cite book |author1 = Stefan Silbernagl |author2 = Agamemnon Despopoulos |title = Color Atlas of Physiology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=WyuCGhv4kvwC&pg=PA305 |date = 1 January 2011 |publisher = Thieme |isbn = 978-3-13-149521-1 |pages = 305– }}{{cite book |author = Barbara Fadem |title = High-yield Comprehensive USMLE Step 1 Review |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=d-MxROzDPgcC&pg=PA445 |year = 2007 |publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn = 978-0-7817-7427-7 |pages = 445– }} which reach levels as high as 20 times greater than normal menstrual cycle levels. IGF-1 and IGF-2 levels also increase dramatically during pregnancy, due to secretion of placental growth hormone (PGH).{{cite book |author1 = L. Joseph Su |author2 = Tung-chin Chiang |title = Environmental Epigenetics |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Wlp1CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA93 |date = 14 June 2015 |publisher = Springer London |isbn = 978-1-4471-6678-8 |pages = 93– }} Further ductal development, by estrogen, again in conjunction with GH/IGF-1, occurs during pregnancy. In addition, the concert of estrogen, progesterone (again specifically through PRB), prolactin, and other lactogens such as human placental lactogen (hPL) and PGH, in conjunction with GH/IGF-1, as well as insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2),{{cite journal |last1 = Brisken |first1 = Cathrin |last2 = Ayyannan |first2 = Ayyakkannu |last3 = Nguyen |first3 = Cuc |last4 = Heineman |first4 = Anna |last5 = Reinhardt |first5 = Ferenc |last6 = Jan |first6 = Tian |last7 = Dey |first7 = S.K. |last8 = Dotto |first8 = G.Paolo |last9 = Weinberg |first9 = Robert A. |title = IGF-2 Is a Mediator of Prolactin-Induced Morphogenesis in the Breast |journal = Developmental Cell |volume = 3 |issue = 6 |year = 2002 |pages = 877–887 |issn = 1534-5807 |doi = 10.1016/S1534-5807(02)00365-9 |pmid = 12479812 |doi-access = free }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Kleinberg DL, Barcellos-Hoff MH |title = The pivotal role of insulin-like growth factor I in normal mammary development |journal = Endocrinol. Metab. Clin. North Am. |volume = 40 |issue = 3 |pages = 461–71, vii |year = 2011 |pmid = 21889714 |doi = 10.1016/j.ecl.2011.06.001 }} acting together, mediate the completion of lobuloalveolar development of the breasts during pregnancy.{{cite book |author1 = Jerome F. Strauss, III |author2 = Robert L. Barbieri |title = Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KZ95AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA236 |date = 13 September 2013 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-1-4557-2758-2 |pages = 236– }}{{cite journal |last1 = Gutzman |first1 = Jennifer H |last2 = Miller |first2 = Kristin K |last3 = Schuler |first3 = Linda A |title = Endogenous human prolactin and not exogenous human prolactin induces estrogen receptor α and prolactin receptor expression and increases estrogen responsiveness in breast cancer cells |journal = The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |volume = 88 |issue = 1 |year = 2004 |pages = 69–77 |issn = 0960-0760 |doi = 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2003.10.008 |pmid = 15026085 |s2cid = 46031120 }} Both PR and prolactin receptor (PRLR) knockout mice fail to show lobuloalveolar development, and progesterone and prolactin have been found to be synergistic in mediating growth of alveoli, demonstrating the essential role of both of these hormones in this aspect of breast development.{{cite book |author = Nelson D. Horseman |title = Prolactin |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dc2rBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA227 |date = 6 December 2012 |publisher = Springer Science & Business Media |isbn = 978-1-4615-1683-5 |pages = 227– }}{{cite book |author1 = Kirby I. Bland |author2 = Edward M. Copeland III |title = The Breast: Comprehensive Management of Benign and Malignant Diseases |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1u4x_iGiHNEC&pg=PA44 |date = 9 September 2009 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-1-4377-1121-9 |pages = 44–45 }} Growth hormone receptor (GHR) knockout mice also show greatly impaired lobuloalveolar development.{{cite book |author1 = Wanda M. Haschek |author2 = Colin G. Rousseaux |author3 = Matthew A. Wallig |title = Haschek and Rousseaux's Handbook of Toxicologic Pathology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=RXsdAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA2675 |date = 1 May 2013 |publisher = Elsevier Science |isbn = 978-0-12-415765-1 |pages = 2675– }} In addition to their role in lobuloalveolar growth, prolactin and hPL act to increase the size of the nipple-areolar complex during pregnancy.{{cite book |author1 = Karen Wambach |author2 = University of Kansas School of Nursing Karen Wambach |author3 = Jan Riordan |title = Breastfeeding and Human Lactation |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=lDb3BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA85 |date = 26 November 2014 |publisher = Jones & Bartlett Publishers |isbn = 978-1-4496-9729-7 |pages = 85– }} By the end of the fourth month of pregnancy, at which time lobuloalveolar maturation is complete, the breasts are fully prepared for lactation and breastfeeding.

Insulin, glucocorticoids such as cortisol (and by extension adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)), and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine (and by extension thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)) also play permissive but less well-understood/poorly-characterized roles in breast development during both puberty and pregnancy, and are required for full functional development.{{cite book |author1 = Philip J. Di Saia |author2 = William T. Creasman |title = Clinical Gynecologic Oncology |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fmUU5mNbH5kC&pg=PA372 |year = 2012 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-0-323-07419-3 |pages = 372– }}{{cite book |author1 = Tommaso Falcone |author2 = William W. Hurd |title = Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fOPtaEIKvcIC&pg=PA254 |year = 2007 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-0-323-03309-1 |page = 253 }}{{cite book |author1 = Leon Speroff |author2 = Philip D. Darney |title = A Clinical Guide for Contraception |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=f5XJtYkiJ0YC&pg=PT21 |date = November 2010 |publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn = 978-1-60831-610-6 |pages = 21– }}{{cite book |author1 = Christopher B. Wilson |author2 = Victor Nizet |author3 = Yvonne Maldonado |author4 = Jack S. Remington |author5 = Jerome O. Klein |title = Remington and Klein's Infectious Diseases of the Fetus and Newborn Infant |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VuZ1BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA190 |date = 24 February 2015 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-0-323-24147-2 |pages = 190– }} Leptin has also been found to be an important factor in mammary gland development, and has been found to promote mammary epithelial cell proliferation.{{cite book |title = Mechanisms of Leptin in Mammary Tumorigenesis |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=QXfwHetZFYYC&pg=PA3 |year = 2007 |isbn = 978-0-549-16664-1 |pages = 3– }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In contrast to the female-associated sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, the male-associated sex hormones, the androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), powerfully suppress the action of estrogen in the breasts.{{cite journal |vauthors = Jernström H, Olsson H |title = Breast size in relation to endogenous hormone levels, body constitution, and oral contraceptive use in healthy nulligravid women aged 19-25 years |journal = Am. J. Epidemiol. |volume = 145 |issue = 7 |pages = 571–80 |year = 1997 |pmid = 9098173 |doi = 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a009153 |doi-access = free }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Zhou J, Ng S, Adesanya-Famuiya O, Anderson K, Bondy CA |title = Testosterone inhibits estrogen-induced mammary epithelial proliferation and suppresses estrogen receptor expression |journal = FASEB J. |volume = 14 |issue = 12 |pages = 1725–30 |year = 2000 |pmid = 10973921 |doi = 10.1096/fj.99-0863com |doi-access = free |s2cid = 17172449 |url = https://zenodo.org/record/1236080 }} At least one way that they do this is by reducing the expression of the estrogen receptor in breast tissue.{{cite journal |vauthors = Eigeliene N, Elo T, Linhala M, Hurme S, Erkkola R, Härkönen P |title = Androgens inhibit the stimulatory action of 17β-estradiol on normal human breast tissue in explant cultures |journal = J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. |volume = 97 |issue = 7 |pages = E1116–27 |year = 2012 |pmid = 22535971 |doi = 10.1210/jc.2011-3228 |doi-access = free }} In the absence of androgenic activity, such as in women with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), modest levels of estrogen (50 pg/mL) are capable of mediating significant breast development, with CAIS women showing breast volumes that are even above-average. The combination of much higher levels of androgens (about 10-fold higher) and much lower levels of estrogen (about 10-fold less),{{cite book |author = Michael Eysenck |title = AQA Psychology: AS and A-level Year 1 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gGpKCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA237 |date = 17 April 2015 |publisher = Psychology Press |isbn = 978-1-317-43251-7 |pages = 237– }} due to the ovaries in females producing high amounts of estrogens but low amounts of androgens and the testes in males producing high amounts of androgens but low amounts of estrogens,{{cite book |author1 = Cecie Starr |author2 = Ralph Taggart |author3 = Christine Evers |title = Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=atXKSSJzwSkC&pg=PT629 |date = 1 January 2012 |publisher = Cengage Learning |isbn = 978-1-111-42569-2 |pages = 629– }} are why males generally do not grow prominent or well-developed breasts relative to females.{{cite journal |vauthors = Lemaine V, Cayci C, Simmons PS, Petty P |title = Gynecomastia in adolescent males |journal = Semin Plast Surg |volume = 27 |issue = 1 |pages = 56–61 |year = 2013 |pmid = 24872741 |pmc = 3706045 |doi = 10.1055/s-0033-1347166 }}

Calcitriol, the hormonally active form of vitamin D, acting through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), has, like the androgens, been reported to be a negative regulator of mammary gland development in mice, for instance, during puberty. VDR knockout mice show more extensive ductal development relative to wild-type mice,{{cite journal |vauthors = Lopes N, Paredes J, Costa JL, Ylstra B, Schmitt F |title = Vitamin D and the mammary gland: a review on its role in normal development and breast cancer |journal = Breast Cancer Res. |volume = 14 |issue = 3 |pages = 211 |year = 2012 |pmid = 22676419 |pmc = 3446331 |doi = 10.1186/bcr3178 |doi-access = free }} as well as precocious mammary gland development.{{cite journal |vauthors = Welsh J |title = Targets of vitamin D receptor signaling in the mammary gland |journal = J. Bone Miner. Res. |volume = 22 |pages = V86–90 |year = 2007 |issue = Suppl 2 |pmid = 18290729 |doi = 10.1359/jbmr.07s204 |s2cid = 5476362 |doi-access = free }} In addition, VDR knockout has also been shown to result in increased responsiveness of mouse mammary gland tissue to estrogen and progesterone, which was represented by increased cell growth in response to these hormones. Conversely however, it has been found that VDR knockout mice show reduced ductal differentiation, represented by an increased number of undifferentiated TEBs,{{cite journal |vauthors = Narvaez CJ, Zinser G, Welsh J |title = Functions of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) in mammary gland: from normal development to breast cancer |journal = Steroids |volume = 66 |issue = 3–5 |pages = 301–8 |year = 2001 |pmid = 11179738 |doi = 10.1016/s0039-128x(00)00202-6 |s2cid = 54244099 }} and this finding has been interpreted as indicating that vitamin D may be essential for lobuloalveolar development. As such, calcitriol, via the VDR, may be a negative regulator of ductal development but a positive regulator of lobuloalveolar development in the mammary gland.{{cite journal |vauthors = Welsh J |title = Vitamin D metabolism in mammary gland and breast cancer |journal = Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. |volume = 347 |issue = 1–2 |pages = 55–60 |year = 2011 |pmid = 21669251 |doi = 10.1016/j.mce.2011.05.020 |s2cid = 33174706 }}

A possible mechanism of the negative regulatory effects of the VDR on breast development may be indicated by a study of vitamin D₃ supplementation in women which found that vitamin D₃ suppresses cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the breast, and by doing so, reduces and increases, respectively, the levels of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2), a known inhibitory factor in breast development.{{cite journal |vauthors = Qin W, Smith C, Jensen M, Holick MF, Sauter ER |title = Vitamin D favorably alters the cancer promoting prostaglandin cascade |journal = Anticancer Res. |volume = 33 |issue = 9 |pages = 3861–6 |year = 2013 |pmid = 24023320 }} Moreover, suppression of PGE₂ in breast tissue is relevant because, via activation of prostaglandin EP receptors, PGE₂ potently induces amphiregulin expression in breast tissue, and activation of the EGFR by amphiregulin increases COX-2 expression in breast tissue, in turn resulting in more PGE₂, and thus, a self-perpetuating, synergistic cycle of growth amplification due to COX-2 appears to potentially be present in normal breast tissue.{{cite journal |vauthors = Chang SH, Ai Y, Breyer RM, Lane TF, Hla T |title = The prostaglandin E2 receptor EP2 is required for cyclooxygenase 2-mediated mammary hyperplasia |journal = Cancer Res. |volume = 65 |issue = 11 |pages = 4496–9 |year = 2005 |pmid = 15930264 |doi = 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-0129 |doi-access = free }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Al-Salihi MA, Ulmer SC, Doan T, Nelson CD, Crotty T, Prescott SM, Stafforini DM, Topham MK |title = Cyclooxygenase-2 transactivates the epidermal growth factor receptor through specific E-prostanoid receptors and tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme |journal = Cell. Signal. |volume = 19 |issue = 9 |pages = 1956–63 |year = 2007 |pmid = 17572069 |pmc = 2681182 |doi = 10.1016/j.cellsig.2007.05.003 }} Accordingly, overexpression of COX-2 in mammary gland tissue produces mammary gland hyperplasia as well as precocious mammary gland development in female mice, mirroring the phenotype of VDR knockout mice, and demonstrating a strong stimulatory effect of COX-2, which is downregulated by VDR activation, on the growth of the mammary glands. Also in accordance, COX-2 activity in the breasts has been found to be positively associated with breast volume in women.{{cite journal |vauthors = Markkula A, Simonsson M, Rosendahl AH, Gaber A, Ingvar C, Rose C, Jernström H |title = Impact of COX2 genotype, ER status and body constitution on risk of early events in different treatment groups of breast cancer patients |journal = Int. J. Cancer |volume = 135 |issue = 8 |pages = 1898–910 |year = 2014 |pmid = 24599585 |pmc = 4225481 |doi = 10.1002/ijc.28831 }}

=Growth factors=

Estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, as well as GH/IGF-1, produce their effects on breast development by modulating the local expression in breast tissue of an assortment of autocrine and paracrine growth factors,{{cite journal |last1 = Hynes |first1 = N. E. |last2 = Watson |first2 = C. J. |title = Mammary Gland Growth Factors: Roles in Normal Development and in Cancer |journal = Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology |volume = 2 |issue = 8 |year = 2010 |pages = a003186 |issn = 1943-0264 |doi = 10.1101/cshperspect.a003186 |pmid = 20554705 |pmc = 2908768 }}{{cite book |author1 = Jay R. Harris |author2 = Marc E. Lippman |author3 = C. Kent Osborne |author4 = Monica Morrow |title = Diseases of the Breast |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GLc8xYe239kC&pg=PT94 |date = 28 March 2012 |publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn = 978-1-4511-4870-1 |pages = 94– }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Lamote I, Meyer E, Massart-Leën AM, Burvenich C |title = Sex steroids and growth factors in the regulation of mammary gland proliferation, differentiation, and involution |journal = Steroids |volume = 69 |issue = 3 |pages = 145–59 |year = 2004 |pmid = 15072917 |doi = 10.1016/j.steroids.2003.12.008 |s2cid = 10930192 }} including IGF-1, IGF-2, amphiregulin,{{cite journal |author2-link=Jeffrey M. Rosen |vauthors = LaMarca HL, Rosen JM |title = Estrogen regulation of mammary gland development and breast cancer: amphiregulin takes center stage |journal = Breast Cancer Res. |volume = 9 |issue = 4 |pages = 304 |year = 2007 |pmid = 17659070 |pmc = 2206713 |doi = 10.1186/bcr1740 |doi-access = free }} EGF, FGF, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF),{{cite journal |vauthors = El-Attar HA, Sheta MI |title = Hepatocyte growth factor profile with breast cancer |journal = Indian J Pathol Microbiol |volume = 54 |issue = 3 |pages = 509–13 |year = 2011 |pmid = 21934211 |doi = 10.4103/0377-4929.85083 |doi-access = free }} tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), tumor necrosis factor β (TNF-β), transforming growth factor α (TGF-α),{{cite journal |vauthors = Bates SE, Valverius EM, Ennis BW, Bronzert DA, Sheridan JP, Stampfer MR, Mendelsohn J, Lippman ME, Dickson RB |title = Expression of the transforming growth factor-alpha/epidermal growth factor receptor pathway in normal human breast epithelial cells |journal = Endocrinology |volume = 126 |issue = 1 |pages = 596–607 |year = 1990 |pmid = 2294006 |doi = 10.1210/endo-126-1-596 |doi-access = free }} transforming growth factor β (TGF-β),{{cite journal |vauthors = Serra R, Crowley MR |title = Mouse models of transforming growth factor beta impact in breast development and cancer |journal = Endocr. Relat. Cancer |volume = 12 |issue = 4 |pages = 749–60 |year = 2005 |pmid = 16322320 |doi = 10.1677/erc.1.00936 |doi-access = free }} heregulin,{{cite journal |vauthors = Kenney NJ, Bowman A, Korach KS, Barrett JC, Salomon DS |title = Effect of exogenous epidermal-like growth factors on mammary gland development and differentiation in the estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERKO) mouse |journal = Breast Cancer Res. Treat. |volume = 79 |issue = 2 |pages = 161–73 |year = 2003 |pmid = 12825851 |doi = 10.1023/a:1023938510508 |s2cid = 30782707 }} Wnt, RANKL, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). These factors regulate cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation via activation of intracellular signaling cascades that control cell function, such as Erk, Akt, JNK, and Jak/Stat.{{cite journal |vauthors = Hennighausen L, Robinson GW, Wagner KU, Liu X |title = Developing a mammary gland is a stat affair |journal = J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia |volume = 2 |issue = 4 |pages = 365–72 |year = 1997 |pmid = 10935024 |doi = 10.1023/A:1026347313096|s2cid = 19771840 }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Rawlings JS, Rosler KM, Harrison DA |title = The JAK/STAT signaling pathway |journal = J. Cell Sci. |volume = 117 |issue = Pt 8 |pages = 1281–3 |year = 2004 |pmid = 15020666 |doi = 10.1242/jcs.00963 |doi-access = free }}

Based on research with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) knockout mice, the EGFR, which is the molecular target of EGF, TGF-α, amphiregulin, and heregulin, has, similarly to the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), been found to be essential for mammary gland development.{{cite journal |vauthors = Sebastian J, Richards RG, Walker MP, Wiesen JF, Werb Z, Derynck R, Hom YK, Cunha GR, DiAugustine RP |title = Activation and function of the epidermal growth factor receptor and erbB-2 during mammary gland morphogenesis |journal = Cell Growth Differ. |volume = 9 |issue = 9 |pages = 777–85 |year = 1998 |pmid = 9751121 }} Estrogen and progesterone mediate ductal development mainly through induction of amphiregulin expression, and thus downstream EGFR activation.{{cite journal |vauthors = Kariagina A, Xie J, Leipprandt JR, Haslam SZ |title = Amphiregulin mediates estrogen, progesterone, and EGFR signaling in the normal rat mammary gland and in hormone-dependent rat mammary cancers |journal = Horm Cancer |volume = 1 |issue = 5 |pages = 229–44 |year = 2010 |pmid = 21258428 |pmc = 3000471 |doi = 10.1007/s12672-010-0048-0 }}{{cite journal |vauthors = McBryan J, Howlin J, Napoletano S, Martin F |title = Amphiregulin: role in mammary gland development and breast cancer |journal = J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia |volume = 13 |issue = 2 |pages = 159–69 |year = 2008 |pmid = 18398673 |doi = 10.1007/s10911-008-9075-7 |s2cid = 13229645 }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Sternlicht MD, Sunnarborg SW |title = The ADAM17-amphiregulin-EGFR axis in mammary development and cancer |journal = J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia |volume = 13 |issue = 2 |pages = 181–94 |year = 2008 |pmid = 18470483 |pmc = 2723838 |doi = 10.1007/s10911-008-9084-6 }} Accordingly, ERα, amphiregulin, and EGFR knockout mice copy each other phenotypically in regards to their effects on ductal development. Also in accordance, treatment of mice with amphiregulin or other EGFR ligands like TGF-α or heregulin induces ductal and lobuloalveolar development in the mouse mammary gland, actions that occur even in the absence of estrogen and progesterone.{{cite journal |vauthors = Kenney NJ, Smith GH, Rosenberg K, Cutler ML, Dickson RB |title = Induction of ductal morphogenesis and lobular hyperplasia by amphiregulin in the mouse mammary gland |journal = Cell Growth Differ. |volume = 7 |issue = 12 |pages = 1769–81 |year = 1996 |pmid = 8959346 }} As both the IGF-1R and the EGFR are independently essential for mammary gland development, and as combined application of IGF-1 and EGF, through their respective receptors, has been found to synergistically stimulate the growth of human breast epithelial cells, these growth factor systems appear to work together in mediating breast development.{{cite journal |vauthors = Strange KS, Wilkinson D, Emerman JT |title = Mitogenic properties of insulin-like growth factors I and II, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and epidermal growth factor on human breast epithelial cells in primary culture |journal = Breast Cancer Res. Treat. |volume = 75 |issue = 3 |pages = 203–12 |year = 2002 |pmid = 12353809 |doi = 10.1023/a:1019915101457 |hdl = 1807.1/208 |s2cid = 11234211 |hdl-access = free }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Ahmad T, Farnie G, Bundred NJ, Anderson NG |title = The mitogenic action of insulin-like growth factor I in normal human mammary epithelial cells requires the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase |journal = J. Biol. Chem. |volume = 279 |issue = 3 |pages = 1713–9 |year = 2004 |pmid = 14593113 |doi = 10.1074/jbc.M306156200 |doi-access = free }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Rodland KD, Bollinger N, Ippolito D, Opresko LK, Coffey RJ, Zangar R, Wiley HS |title = Multiple mechanisms are responsible for transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in mammary epithelial cells |journal = J. Biol. Chem. |volume = 283 |issue = 46 |pages = 31477–87 |year = 2008 |pmid = 18782770 |pmc = 2581561 |doi = 10.1074/jbc.M800456200 |doi-access = free }}

Elevated levels of HGF and, to a lesser extent, IGF-1 (by 5.4-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively), in breast stromal tissue, have been found in macromastia, a very rare condition of extremely and excessively large breast size.{{cite journal |last1 = Zhong |first1 = Aimei |last2 = Wang |first2 = Guohua |last3 = Yang |first3 = Jie |last4 = Xu |first4 = Qijun |last5 = Yuan |first5 = Quan |last6 = Yang |first6 = Yanqing |last7 = Xia |first7 = Yun |last8 = Guo |first8 = Ke |last9 = Horch |first9 = Raymund E.|last10=Sun|first10=Jiaming |title = Stromal-epithelial cell interactions and alteration of branching morphogenesis in macromastic mammary glands |journal = Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine |volume = 18 |issue = 7 |year = 2014 |pages = 1257–1266 |issn = 1582-1838 |doi = 10.1111/jcmm.12275 |pmid = 24720804 |pmc = 4124011 }} Exposure of macromastic breast stromal tissue to non-macromastic breast epithelial tissue was found to cause increased alveolar morphogenesis and epithelial proliferation in the latter. A neutralizing antibody for HGF, but not for IGF-1 or EGF, was found to attenuate the proliferation of breast epithelial tissue caused by exposure to macromastic breast stromal cells, potentially directly implicating HGF in the breast growth and enlargement seen in macromastia. Also, a genome-wide association study has highly implicated HGF and its receptor, c-Met, in breast cancer aggressiveness.{{cite journal |vauthors = Menashe I, Maeder D, Garcia-Closas M, Figueroa JD, Bhattacharjee S, Rotunno M, Kraft P, Hunter DJ, Chanock SJ, Rosenberg PS, Chatterjee N |title = Pathway analysis of breast cancer genome-wide association study highlights three pathways and one canonical signaling cascade |journal = Cancer Res. |volume = 70 |issue = 11 |pages = 4453–9 |year = 2010 |pmid = 20460509 |pmc = 2907250 |doi = 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-4502 }}

Lactation

Upon parturition (childbirth), estrogen and progesterone rapidly drop to very low levels, with progesterone levels being undetectable. Conversely, prolactin levels remain elevated. As estrogen and progesterone block prolactin-induced lactogenesis by suppressing prolactin receptor (PRLR) expression in breast tissue, their sudden absence results in the commencement of milk production and lactation by prolactin. Expression of the PRLR in breast tissue may increase by as much as 20-fold when estrogen and progesterone levels drop upon childbirth. With suckling from the infant, prolactin and oxytocin are secreted and mediate milk production and letdown, respectively. Prolactin suppresses the secretion of LH and FSH, which in turn results in continued low levels of estrogen and progesterone, and temporary amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycles) occurs. In the absence of regular, episodic suckling, which keeps prolactin concentrations high, levels of prolactin will quickly drop, the menstrual cycle will resume and hence normal estrogen and progesterone levels will return, and lactation will cease (that is, until next parturition, or until induced lactation (i.e., with a galactogogue), occurs).

Breast size and cancer risk

Some factors of breast morphology, including their density, are clearly implicated in breast cancer. While breast size is moderately heritable, the relationship between breast size and cancer is uncertain. The genetic variants influencing breast size have not been identified.

Through genome-wide association studies, a variety of genetic polymorphisms have been linked to breast size.{{cite journal |vauthors = Eriksson N, Benton GM, Do CB, Kiefer AK, Mountain JL, Hinds DA, Francke U, Tung JY |title = Genetic variants associated with breast size also influence breast cancer risk |journal = BMC Med. Genet. |volume = 13 |pages = 53 |year = 2012 |pmid = 22747683 |pmc = 3483246 |doi = 10.1186/1471-2350-13-53 |doi-access = free }} Some of these include rs7816345 near ZNF703 (zinc finger protein 703); rs4849887 and rs17625845 flanking INHBB (inhibin βB); rs12173570 near ESR1 (ERα); rs7089814 in ZNF365 (zinc finger protein 365); rs12371778 near PTHLH (parathyroid hormone-like hormone); rs62314947 near AREG (amphiregulin); as well as rs10086016 at 8p11.23 (which is in complete linkage disequilibrium with rs7816345) and rs5995871 at 22q13 (contains the MKL1 gene, which has been found to modulate the transcriptional activity of ERα).{{cite journal |vauthors = Li J, Foo JN, Schoof N, Varghese JS, Fernandez-Navarro P, Gierach GL, Quek ST, Hartman M, Nord S, Kristensen VN, Pollán M, Figueroa JD, Thompson DJ, Li Y, Khor CC, Humphreys K, Liu J, Czene K, Hall P |title = Large-scale genotyping identifies a new locus at 22q13.2 associated with female breast size |journal = J. Med. Genet. |volume = 50 |issue = 10 |pages = 666–73 |year = 2013 |pmid = 23825393 |pmc = 4159740 |doi = 10.1136/jmedgenet-2013-101708 }} Many of these polymorphisms are also associated with the risk of developing breast cancer, revealing a potential positive association between breast size and breast cancer risk. However, conversely, some polymorphisms show a negative association between breast size and breast cancer risk. In any case, a meta-analysis concluded that breast size and risk of breast cancer are indeed importantly related.{{cite journal |vauthors = Jansen LA, Backstein RM, Brown MH |title = Breast size and breast cancer: a systematic review |journal = J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg |volume = 67 |issue = 12 |pages = 1615–23 |year = 2014 |pmid = 25456291 |doi = 10.1016/j.bjps.2014.10.001 |s2cid = 206209247 }}

Circulating IGF-1 levels are positively associated with breast volume in women.{{cite journal |vauthors = Jernström H, Sandberg T, Bågeman E, Borg A, Olsson H |title = Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) genotype predicts breast volume after pregnancy and hormonal contraception and is associated with circulating IGF-1 levels: implications for risk of early-onset breast cancer in young women from hereditary breast cancer families |journal = Br. J. Cancer |volume = 92 |issue = 5 |pages = 857–66 |year = 2005 |pmid = 15756256 |pmc = 2361904 |doi = 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602389 }} In addition, the absence of the common 19-repeat allele in the IGF1 gene is also positively associated with breast volume in women, as well as with high IGF-1 levels during oral contraceptive use and with lessening of the normal age-associated decline in circulating IGF-1 concentrations in women. There is great variation in the prevalence of the IGF1 19-repeat allele between ethnic groups, and its absence has been reported to be highest among African-American women.

Genetic variations in the androgen receptor (AR) have been linked to both breast volume (as well as body mass index) and breast cancer aggressiveness.{{cite journal |vauthors = Lundin KB, Henningson M, Hietala M, Ingvar C, Rose C, Jernström H |title = Androgen receptor genotypes predict response to endocrine treatment in breast cancer patients |journal = Br. J. Cancer |volume = 105 |issue = 11 |pages = 1676–83 |year = 2011 |pmid = 22033271 |pmc = 3242599 |doi = 10.1038/bjc.2011.441 }}

COX-2 expression has been positively associated with breast volume and inflammation in breast tissue, as well as with breast cancer risk and prognosis.

=Rare mutations=

Women with CAIS, who are completely insensitive to the AR-mediated actions of androgens, have, as a group, above-average sized breasts. This is true despite the fact that they simultaneously have relatively low levels of estrogen, which demonstrates the powerful suppressant effect of androgens on estrogen-mediated breast development.

Aromatase excess syndrome, an extremely rare condition characterized by marked hyperestrogenism, is associated with precocious breast development and macromastia in females and similarly precocious gynecomastia (women's breasts) in males.{{cite journal |vauthors = Martin RM, Lin CJ, Nishi MY |title = Familial hyperestrogenism in both sexes: clinical, hormonal, and molecular studies of two siblings |journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism |volume = 88 |issue = 7 |pages = 3027–34 |date = July 2003 |pmid = 12843139 |doi = 10.1210/jc.2002-021780 |url = http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=12843139 |display-authors = etal |doi-access = free |url-access = subscription }}{{cite journal |vauthors = Stratakis CA, Vottero A, Brodie A |title = The aromatase excess syndrome is associated with feminization of both sexes and autosomal dominant transmission of aberrant P450 aromatase gene transcription |journal = The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism |volume = 83 |issue = 4 |pages = 1348–57 |date = April 1998 |doi = 10.1210/jcem.83.4.4697 |pmid = 9543166 |s2cid = 5723607 |display-authors = etal |doi-access = free }}{{cite book |author = Gregory Makowski |title = Advances in Clinical Chemistry |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=u_ksaKq95jkC&pg=PT158 |access-date = 24 May 2012 |date = 22 April 2011 |publisher = Academic Press |isbn = 978-0-12-387025-4 |page = 158 }} In complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, a condition in which the AR is defective and insensitive to androgens, there is full breast development with breast volumes that are in fact above average in spite of relatively low levels of estrogen (50 pg/mL estradiol). In aromatase deficiency, a form of hypoestrogenism in which aromatase is defective and cannot synthesize estrogen, and in complete estrogen insensitivity syndrome, a condition in which ERα is defective and insensitive to estrogen, breast development is completely absent.{{cite book |title = International position paper on women's health and menopause : a comprehensive approach |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NCzYsz6Uv0IC&pg=PA78 |publisher = DIANE Publishing |isbn = 978-1-4289-0521-4 |pages = 78– |year = 2002 }}{{cite book |author1 = J. Larry Jameson |author2 = Leslie J. De Groot |title = Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xmLeBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT238 |date = 25 February 2015 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-0-323-32195-2 |pages = 238– }}{{cite journal |last1 = Quaynor |first1 = Samuel D. |last2 = Stradtman |first2 = Earl W. |last3 = Kim |first3 = Hyung-Goo |last4 = Shen |first4 = Yiping |last5 = Chorich |first5 = Lynn P. |last6 = Schreihofer |first6 = Derek A. |last7 = Layman |first7 = Lawrence C. |title = Delayed Puberty and Estrogen Resistance in a Woman with Estrogen Receptor α Variant |journal = New England Journal of Medicine |volume = 369 |issue = 2 |year = 2013 |pages = 164–171 |issn = 0028-4793 |doi = 10.1056/NEJMoa1303611 |pmid = 23841731 |pmc = 3823379 }}