Evolution of lactation: nutrition v. protection with special reference to five mammalian species

@article{McClellan2008EvolutionOL,
  title={Evolution of lactation: nutrition v. protection with special reference to five mammalian species},
  author={Holly L. McClellan and Susan J. Miller and Peter Hartmann},
  journal={Nutrition Research Reviews},
  year={2008},
  volume={21},
  pages={97 - 116}
}
The evolutionary origin of the mammary gland has been difficult to establish because little knowledge can be gained on the origin of soft tissue organs from fossil evidence. One approach to resolve the origin of lactation has compared the anatomy of existing primitive mammals to skin glands, whilst another has examined the metabolic and molecular synergy between mammary gland development and the innate immune system. We have reviewed the physiology of lactation in five mammalian species with… 
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