Great question. I don’t have an answer, just supposition. I think a combination of light and air flow triggers the plant to plump up the bud to receive pollen - basically it interprets the light and air to indicate it is a very likely candidate area for pollen. I would speculate that air flow is even more important than light in this process because that is what will bring the pollen.
Slightly related, I once read a couple articles that specify leaves can conduct photosynthesis from their bottom side (albeit less efficiently) as well as the top. I say slightly related because it means even without defoliation more light than we realize is available to the bud sites (and I speculate photosynthesis happens at the bud site, although possibly just the sugar leaves more than anything). It is another case for airflow being the more important factor.
Again, just my speculation, but it seems logical.