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- Title
Is Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone an Integrator of Prolactin- and Oxytocin-Dependent Processes in the Mammary Gland and Maternal Behavior of Lactating Mice?
- Authors
Markov, A. G.; Shadrin, L. V.; Kruglova, N. M.; Fedorova, A. A.; Razgovorova, I. A.; Chernysheva, M. P.
- Abstract
Breastfeeding is a hallmark of mammals. The determination of the role of neuropeptides in the neuroendocrine regulation of mammary gland functions and parental behavior in mammals and humans is a priority for understanding these vital processes. Since in lactating females the suckling stimulus induces burst secretion of prolactin, oxytocin, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), here we investigate the possibility of the effect of TRH on prolactin-dependent lactogenesis and oxytocin-mediated milk ejection reflex, as well as on components of the maternal behavior. It was found that bilateral intranasal infusions of TRH to lactating female mice specifically facilitate suckling, but not eating or drinking, behavior. TRH increased the duration of suckling periods and the number of milk ejection reflexes in response to pups' sucking, while simultaneously increasing the duration of intervals in between. Optical and electron microscopic studies revealed significant alterations in mammary alveolar epitheliocytes, indicating a TRH-induced increase in milk production in the mammary gland, as confirmed by a higher rate of weight gain in mouse pups and their better survival. The absence of changes in females' thyroxine and triiodothyronine plasma levels, as determined by enzyme immunoassay, after chronic infusions of low-dose TRH attests to the invariability of the maternal thyroid status. We assume that TRH is implicated in coordinating the mechanisms of patterning the neuroendocrine milk ejection reflex, maternal behavior, and increased synthetic activity in the mouse mammary gland.
- Subjects
THYROTROPIN releasing factor; LACTATION; MAMMARY glands; ENZYME-linked immunosorbent assay; MILK yield; MICE; BREAST milk; WEIGHT gain
- Publication
Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry & Physiology, 2021, Vol 57, Issue 5, p1194
- ISSN
0022-0930
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1134/S0022093021050203