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DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1253434
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Prolactin Inhibition at Mid-lactation Influences Adiposity and Thyroid Function in Adult Rats
Publication History
received 27.02.2010
accepted 14.04.2010
Publication Date:
06 May 2010 (online)

Abstract
Maternal hypoprolactinemia at the end of lactation (a precocious weaning model) increases milk leptin transfer and results in overweight, leptin resistance, and secondary hypothyroidism at adulthood. We studied the effects of prolactin (PRL) inhibition during mid-lactation (a partial malnutrition model) on milk leptin transfer, leptinemia, body composition, and thyroid function. Lactating rats were treated with bromocryptine (BRO, 1 mg/twice daily) or saline on days 7, 8, and 9 of lactation. Offspring were sacrificed 10, 21, and 90 days after birth. After treatment, BRO-treated dams showed hypoprolactinemia and hyperleptinemia, and produced less milk with lower levels of lactose and higher milk triglycerides. Milk leptin levels were lower at weaning. Offspring of BRO-treated dams had lower body weight and length as well as less visceral fat during lactation and adulthood. Total fat was also lower at weaning and adult life, whereas total protein was higher at 90 days-old. BRO offspring presented lower serum T4 and TSH at 10 days-old and weaning, respectively. When adults, these rats exhibited hypoleptinemia, lower levels of thyroid hormones, and higher TSH. Early inhibition of PRL therefore leads to offspring malnutrition and affects subsequent growth. Also, inhibition of PRL during lactation predisposes offspring to hypothyroidism; however, when the inhibition occurs during late lactation, the hypothyroidism is secondary, whereas when it is restricted to mid-lactation, the thyroid hypofunction is primary. The programming effect of milk suppression thus depends on the developmental stage of offspring.
Key words
prolactin - bromocryptine - lactation - programming - hormones
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Correspondence
Dr. P. C. Lisboa
Departamento de Ciências
Fisiológicas – 5o andar
Instituto de Biologia
Universidade do Estado do Rio
de Janeiro
Av 28 de setembro 87-
RJ 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Phone: +55/21/2587 6134
Fax: +55/21/2587 6129
Email: pclisboa@uerj.br