Which hormone produced by the anterior pituitary is responsible for stimulating milk production?

Prolactin is the hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that plays a crucial role in stimulating milk production in the breasts after childbirth. Its primary function is to promote lactation, making it essential for breastfeeding. Prolactin levels increase during pregnancy, preparing the mammary glands for milk production. Following delivery, the presence of the infant's suckling at the breast further stimulates prolactin release, thereby enhancing and maintaining milk supply.

In contrast, the other hormones listed have different functions: adrenocorticotropic hormone is involved in stimulating the adrenal glands to produce cortisol; luteinizing hormone plays a vital role in regulating the menstrual cycle and ovulation; melanocyte-stimulating hormone is primarily concerned with the regulation of skin pigmentation. Each of these hormones serves distinct roles within the endocrine system, making prolactin the only one among them directly associated with the stimulation of milk production.