Hormonal profile and reproductive performance in lactation deficient (OFA hr/hr) and normal (Sprague-Dawley) female rats.

摘要: Lactation deficiency may have important consequences on infant health, particularly in populations of low socioeconomic status. The OFA hr/hr (OFA) strain rats, derived from Sprague-Dawley (SD) has deficient lactation and is a good model failure. We examined the reproductive performance hormonal profiles SD strains to determine cause(s) failure strain. measured (PRL, GH, gonadotropins, oxytocin, progesterone) levels by RIA cycling, pregnant, lactating rats response suckling. Dopaminergic metabolism was assessed determination mediobasal hypothalamic dopamine dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations HPLC tyrosine hydroxylase expression immunocytochemistry western blot. normal fertility but 50% litters die malnutrition early lactation; only 6% mothers show lactation. showed lower circulating PRL during lactation, increased DOPAC, impaired milk ejection with decreased oxytocin Before parturition, release lactogenesis were normal, dopaminergic altered, suggesting activation system not rats. number arcuate periventricular neurons expressing higher TH at end pregnancy These results suggest that linked an augmented tone which could be partially responsible for lactational