Lactocrine programming of female reproductive tract development: Environmental connections to the reproductive continuum

► Dependence on maternal resources for eutherian development extends into neonatal life. ► Lactation and lactocrine communication support postnatal developmental programming. ► Lactocrine signaling affects neonatal female reproductive tract development. ► Disruption of estrogen-sensitive, lactocrine-driven uterine development has lasting effects. ► Colostrum/milk is a conduit for delivery of endocrine-disruptive chemicals to neonates.