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Horm Metab Res 2005; 37(4): 220-225
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-861381
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Prolactin Inhibition in Lactating Rats Changes Leptin Transfer through the Milk

I.  T.  Bonomo1 , P.  C.  Lisboa1 , M.  C.  F.  Passos2 , C.  C.  Pazos-Moura3 , A.  M.  Reis4 , E.  G.  Moura1
  • 1 Depto. Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
  • 2 Depto. Nutrição Aplicada, Instituto de Nutrição, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
  • 3 Instituto de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
  • 4 Depto. Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, MG, Brasil
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 August 2004

Accepted after second revision 6 December 2004

Publication Date:
13 June 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Malnutrition during lactation reduces milk production and changes pup’s leptin serum levels. To test prolactin role in this nutritional state, we evaluated whether prolactin suppression during lactation changes serum leptin in dams, its transfer through the milk, and pup’s serum leptin. Lactating rats were treated with bromocryptine (1 mg/twice a day, sc) or saline three days before sacrifice (days 2 - 4 or days 19 - 21). Food intake and body weight were measured until sacrifice (4th and 21st day). Serum prolactin and leptin were determined by radioimmunoassay. Bromocryptine injected dams had lower serum prolactin and milk production as expected. The mothers presented lower food ingestion (day 21: - 25 %), lower body weight (day 4: - 12 %; day 21: - 10 %), higher serum leptin (day 4: + 68 %), lower milk leptin on the 4th day (11 times) and higher (8 times) on the 21st day. The offspring of bromocryptine-treated mothers presented lower body weight in both periods of lactation and lower serum leptin on the 4th day (- 40 %) and higher on the 21st day (+ 37 %) of lactation. We suggest that prolactin, through its effect on leptin secretion into the milk, may play an important role in signalizing maternal nutritional status to the pups.

Key words

Bromocryptine - Prolactin - Leptin - Lactation - Rat

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Dr. Egberto Gaspar de Moura

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