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Biomedical subjects

A T Cowie

Publications and source records attributed to A T Cowie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Mammary growth during pregnancy in hypophysectomized or bromocriptine-treated goats.

Mammogenesis in primiparous hypophysectomized goats has been assessed between days 60 and 120 of gestation and compared with that found in untreated goats and goats treated with 5 mg bromocriptine/day. There were fivefold increases in the weight of lobulo-alveolar tissue in the hypophysectomized and bromocriptine-treated goats and a tenfold increase in the untreated goats. Histological examination of the mammary glands at 120 days showed normal structure, and determinations of lactose, lactose synthetase, cytosol enzymes, protein, DNA and RNA indicated qualitatively normal initiation of milk synthetic capabilities in both the hypophysectomized and bromocriptine-treated goats. Bromocriptine treatment lowered the plasma concentration of placental lactogen as well as that of prolactin. The results indicate that placental lactogen has important mammogenic effects during pregnancy.

Animals↗

Interspecies study on the effect of perphenazine on milk yield and composition.

The effects on lactation of perphenazine, a tranquillizer which increases the level of prolactin in the blood, have been studied in cows, goats, guinea-pigs and rabbits. The drug caused a significant depression of milk yield in cows, goats and rabbits, but was without effect on the milk yield of guinea-pigs. It seems probable that the inhibitory effects on lactation were due to the actions of the drug on appetite and behaviour. It is concluded that perphenazine, because of its other actions, is not a suitable agent for studying the physiological effects of increased levels of endogenous prolactin.

Animals↗

Effects of lesions of the pituitary stalk on lactation in the rabbit.

The daily milk yields and the yields of fat, lactose and protein in milk were studied in New Zealand White rabbits in which the pituitary stalk and its portal vessels had been interrupted by a radiofrequency lesion placed during the second or third weeks of lactation. In comparison with yields from control rabbits i.e. animals in which the lesion did not completely interrupt the stalk, the yields of milk anf of milk constituents were depressed after interruption of the stalk on day 11 or day 15 of lactation. When the lesion was placed on day 19 of lactation the molk yield was depressed whether or not the stalk was completely disrupted; the decline in yield exaggerated the normal decline of yield that occurs at this stage of lactation. After interruption of the pituitary stalk changes in milk composition were associated with changes in milk production, not evidence being obtained to support anearlier suggestion that section of the pituitary stalk in the rabbit alters the milk compostion whilst leaving milk output unaffected.

Animals↗

The effect of hypophysectomy and subsequent replacement therapy with sheep prolactin or bovine growth hormone on the lactose synthetase activity of rabbit mammary gland.

1. The effects of hypophysectomy and replacement therapy with sheep prolactin and bovine growth hormone on the lactose synthetase activity of the mammary glands of lactating rabbits were studied. 2. There was an approximately fourfold decline in the lactose synthetase activity of homogenates calculated on a DNA basis within 6-7 days of hypophysectomy. Prolactin reversed this decline but growth hormone had no effect. 3. Changes in the properties of a particulate fraction isolated from the glands indicated that a decline in the effective concentration of alpha-lactalbumin was one factor contributing to the decreased lactose synthetase activity after hypophysectomy. 4. As the changes in lactose output produced by hypophysectomy and prolactin therapy are much greater than the changes in total lactose synthetase activity it is concluded that the activity of this enzyme is not the main factor controlling lactose output under these conditions.

Animals↗