The purpose of this study was threefold; first, to assess whether Panx1 was expressed and dynamically regulated in the mammary gland; second, to determine whether loss of Panx1 altered the development of pubertal and lactating mice while establishing if Panx1 affected normal mammary gland function; and finally, to assess whether Panx1 in the mammary gland may have implications extending to patients with breast cancer. The gene discussed is PANX1; the disease is breast cancer.