Dolphin milk microRNAs may be substantially similar to those of terrestrial mammals, with preliminary analysis indicating potentially similar lactation despite dolphins' evolution to an aquatic lifestyle

Sampling of dolphin milk. (A) Device used for milk collection. (B) At the beginning of the milk-extraction procedure, the dolphin voluntarily positions herself laterally. (C) Initial aspiration phase with vacuum application to teat (the suction chamber of device begins to fill). (D) Progressive accumulation of milk in the device’s suction chamber is due to the effect of the applied vacuum. Photographs courtesy of Flavio Maggi and Annalisa Duri. Copyright retained by the authors. Credit: Cendron et al., 2026, PLOS One, CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)