Physiological DNA Damage Promotes Functional Endoreplication of Mammary Gland Alveolar Cells During Lactation

Researchers showed that DNA damage accumulates due to replication stress during pregnancy, activating the DNA damage response. Modulation of DNA damage levels in vivo by intraductal injections of nucleosides or DNA damaging agents reveals that the degree of DNA damage accumulated during pregnancy governs endoreplication and milk production.