Summary
The influence of i. m. administration of hydrocortisone acetate to the mother (doses
of 0.4, 0.8 or 2 mg/100 g body weight/day) during the first 15 days of lactation on
milk composition in fatty acids mother and pups serum levels of lipids and their effect
on pups' growth is studied.
Serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in mothers increase at any of the experimental
doses.
Daily injections of 2 mg/100 g bw to the mother cause an increase in the percentage
of C16 as well as in the level of fatty acids derived from linoleic and linolenic
acids while reducing the percentage of C18:1.
The treatment brings about a higher level in total lipids in the milk which is proportional
to the dose. Doses of 0.4 and 0.8 mg increase the percentage of C8 and C10, while
the dose of 2 mg enhances the % of C16. A fall in the uptake of linoleic acid by the
mammary gland is observed when using any of the experimental doses.
No change is observed either in the weight of pups or in serum cholesterol levels
while triglyceride level is increased by the effect of treatment. The higher dose
increases the level of linolenic acid and some of its derivates.
Key words
Hydrocortisone Acetate - Fatty Acids - Rat - Milk
