Download PDF
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)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

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

References

  • 1 Passos M CF, Ramos C F, Moura E G. Short and long term effects of malnutrition in rats during lactation on the body weight of offspring.  Nutr Res. 2000;  20 1603-1612
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Passos M CF, Ramos C F, Dutra S CP, Moura E G. Long-term effects of malnutrion during lactation on the thyroid function of offspring.  Horm Metab Res. 2002;  34 40-43
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Lucas A. Programming by early nutrition: an experimental approach.  J Nutrition. 1998;  128 401-406
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Passos M CF, Ramos C F, Dutra S CP, Moura E G. Transfer of iodine through the milk in protein-restricted lactating rats.  J Nutr Biochem. 2001a;  12 300-303
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Passos M CF, Ramos C F, Moura E G. Increase of T3 secreted through the milk in protein restricted lactating rats.  Nutr Res. 2001b;  21 917-924
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Lisboa P C, Passos M CF, Dutra S CP, Santos R S, Bonomo I T, Cabanelas A P, Pazos-Moura C C, Moura E G. Increased 5’-iodothyronine deiodinase activity is a maternal adaptative mechanism in response to protein restriction during lactation.  J Endocrinol. 2003;  177 261-267
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Teixeira C V, Passos M CF, Ramos C F, Dutra S CP, Moura E G. Leptin serum concentration, food intake and body weight in rats whose mothers were exposed to malnutrition during lactation.  J Nutr Biochem. 2002;  13 493-498
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Cravo C O, Teixeira C V, Passos M C, Dutra S C, de Moura E G, Ramos C. Leptin treatment during the neonatal period is associated with higher food intake and adult body weight in rats.  Horm Metab Res. 2002;  34 400-405
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Teixeira C V, Ramos C D, Mouco T, Passos M C, De Moura E G. Leptin injection during lactation alters thyroid function in adult rats.  Horm Metab Res. 2003;  35 367-371
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Ahren B O, Mansson S, Gingerich R L, Havel P J. Regulation of plasma leptin in mice: influence of age, high-fat diet, and fasting.  American Journal Physiology. 1997;  273 113-120
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Trottier G, Koski K G, Brun T, Toufexis D J, Richard D, Walker C D. Increased fat intake during lactation modifies hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responsiveness in developing rat pups: a possible role for leptin.  Endocrinology. 1998;  139 3704-3711
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Sauter E R, Garofalo C, Hewett J, Hewett J E, Morelli C, Surmacz E. Leptin expression in breast nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) and serum is influenced by body mass index (BMI) but not by the presence of breast cancer.  Horm Metab Res. 2004;  36 336-340
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Casabiell X, Piñeiro V, Tomé M A, Peinó R, Diéguez C, Casanueva F F. Presence of leptin in colostrum and/or breast milk from lactating mothers: a potencial role in the regulation of neonatal food intake.  J Clin Endocr Metab. 1997;  82 4270-4273
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Mukherjea R, Castonguay T W, Douglass L W, Moser-Veillon P. Elevated leptin concentrations in pregnancy and lactation: possible role as a modulator of substrate utilization.  Life Sciences. 1999;  65 1183-1193
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Gonzalez L C, Pinilla L, Tena-Sempere M, Aguilar E. Leptin stimulates prolactin and luteinizing hormone secretion in fasted adult male rats.  Neuroendocrinol. 1998;  70 213-220
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Yu W H, Kimura M, Walczewska A, Karanth S, McCann S M. Role of leptin in hypothalamic-pituitary function.  Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1997;  94 1023-1028
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Hardie L J, Rayner D V, Holmes S, Trayhurn P. Circulating leptin levels are modulated by fasting, cold exposure and insulin administration in lean but not zucker (fa/fa) rats as measured by ELISA.  Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1996;  223 660-665
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Mantzoros C S, Moschos S J. Leptin in search of role in human physiology and pathophysiology.  Clin Endocrinol. 1998;  49 551-567
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Gualillo O, Lago F, García M, Menéndes C, Señarñs R, Casanueva F F, Diéguez C. Prolactin stimulates leptin secretion by rat white adipose tissue.  Endocrinol. 1999;  140 5149-5153
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Brogan R S, Mitchell S E, Trayhurn P, Smith M S. Supression of leptin during lactation: contribution of the suckling stimulus versus milk production.  Endocrinol. 1999;  140 2621-2627
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Flint D J, Vernon R G. Effects of food restriction on the responses of the mammary gland and adipose tissue to prolactin and growth hormone in the lactating rat.  J Endocrinol. 1998;  156 299-305
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Sauvé D, Woodside B. The effect of central administration of prolactin on food intake in virgin female rats is dose-dependent, occurs in the absence of ovarian hormones and the latency to onset varies with feeding regimen.  Brain Res. 1996;  729 75-81
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Pickavance L, Tadayyon M, Williams G, Vernon R G. Lactation Suppresses Diurnal Rhythm of Serum Leptin.   Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1998;  248 196-199
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Amico J A, Thomas A, Crowley R S, Burneister L A. Concentrations of leptin in the serum of pregnant, lactating, and cycling rats and of leptin messenger ribonucleic acid in rats placental tissue.  Life Sci. 1998;  63 (16) 1387-1395
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Denis R G, Williams G, Vernon R G. Regulation of serum leptin and its role in the hyperphagia of lactation in the rat.  J Endocrinol. 2003;  176 193-203
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Amenomori Y, Chen C L, Meites J. Serum prolactin levels in rats during different reproductive states.  Endocrinology. 1970;  86 506-510
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Noel M B, Woodside B C. Effects of systemic and central prolactin injections of food intake, weight gain, and estrous cyclicity in female rats.  Physiol Behav. 1993;  54 151-154
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Heil S H. Sex-specific effects of prolactin on food by rats.  Horm Behav. 1999;  35 47-54
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Moore B J, Gerardo-Gettens T, Horwitz B A, Stern J S. Hyperprolactnemia stimulates food intake in the female rat.  Brain Res Bull. 1986;  17 563-569
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Byatt J C, Staten N R, Salsgiver W J, Kostelc J G, Collier R J. Stimulation of food intake and weight gain in mature female rats by bovine prolactin and bovine growth hormone.  Am J Physiol. 1993;  264 E986-E992
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Fleming A S. Control of food intake in the lactating rat: role of suckling and hormones.  Physiol Behav. 1976;  17 841-848
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Pine A P, Jessop N S, Allan G F, Oldham J D. Maternal protein reserves and their influence on lactional performance in rats: tissue protein synthesis and turnover associated with mobilization of maternal protein.  Br J Nutr. 1994 a;  72 831-844
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Cambraia R PB, Vannucchi H, De-Oliveira L M. Food intake and weight of lactating rats maintained on different protein-calorie diets, and pup growth.  Braz J Med Biol Res. 1997;  30 985-988
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Rasmussen K M. Effects of under and overnutrition on lactation in laboratory rats.  J Nutr. 1998;  128 390S-393S
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Strode M A, Dewey K G, Lönnerdal B. Effects of short-term caloric restriction on lactational performance of well-nourished women.  Acta Paediatr. 1986;  75 222-229
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Ben-Jonathan N, Hnasko R. Dopamine as a prolactin (PRL) inhibitor.  Endocr Rev. 2001;  22 724-763
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Bayne K. Revised Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals available.  American Physiology Society. 1996;  39 208-211
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Fishbeck K L, Rasmussen K M. Effect of repeated cycles on maternal nutritional status, lactational performance and litter growth in ad libitum-fed and chronically food-restricted rats.  Journal of Nutrition. 1987;  117 1967-1975
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Hassink S G, deLancey E, Sheslow D V. Placental leptin an important new growth factor in intrauterine and neonatal development?.  Pediatrics. 1997;  100 e1-e6
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Dewey K G. Maternal body composition, caloric restriction and exercise during lactation.  J Nutr. 1998;  128 379S-380S
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Luo S, Meier A H, Cincotta A H. Bromocriptine reduces obesity, glucose intolerance and extracellular monoamine metabolite levels in the ventromedial hypothalamus of Syrian hamsters.  Neuroendocrinology. 1998;  68 1-10
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Hagan M M, Havel P J, Seeley R J, Woods S C, Ekhator N N, Baker D G, Hill K K, Wortman M D, Miller A H, Ronald L, Gingerich R L, Geracioti Jr T D. Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma leptin measurements: covariability with dopamine and cortisol in fasting humans.  Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 1999;  84 3579-3585
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Aranda P, Sanchez L, Perez M D, Ena J M, Calvo M. Insulin in bovine colostrum and milk: evolution throughout lactation and binding to caseins.  J Dairy Sci. 1991;  74 4320-4325
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Prosser C G, Fleet I R. Secretion of insulin-like growth factor II into milk.  Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1992;  183 1230-1237
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Prosser C G, Schwander J J. Influence of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-2 on plasma clearance and transfer of insulin-like growth factors-I and -II from plasma into mammary-derived lymph and milk of goats.  Endocrinology. 1996;  150 121-127
    PubMedGoogle Scholar

Dr. Egberto Gaspar de Moura

Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas · 5o andar · Instituto de Biologia · Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Av. 28 de setembro 87 · Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20551-030 · Brazil ·

Phone: +55 (21) 25 87 61 34

Fax: +55 (21) 25 87 61 29

Email: egmoura@uerj.br