Expression of ghrelin and GHSR-1a in mammary glands of dairy goat during the lactation and the effects of gherlin on regulation of mammary function in vitro

► Ghrelin and GHSR-1a were detected in mammary gland of lactating dairy goat. ► Mammary epithelial cells are the major site for ghrelin and GHSR-1a in mammary tissue. ► Ghrelin regulates mammary β-casein expression in vitro. ► Ghrelin induce a promotion on cell proliferation of mammary epithelial cells.