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Duration of diestrous period and secretion of progestins during prolonged lactation in the rat.

The duration of the diestrous period in vaginal smears and the levels of progestins in ovarian venous blood were investigated in rats whose lactation period was prolonged by replacing pups at appropriate intervals. In prolonged lactating rats, the first diestrous period after the pospartum ovulation (21.7 +/- 0.8 days) was similar to that occurring in normal lactating rats. Subsequently proestrous or estrous vaginal smears reappeared at intervals during prolonged lactation. A total of 19 rats were studied during this period of prolonged lactation and 44 diestrous periods were observed. Forty-eight % of these periods ranged in length from 11 to 16 days (mean of 12.7). Very short diestrous periods lasting less than 3 days were observed 25% of the time. Diestrous periods lasting more than 17 days were observed only infrequently (7%). Progesterone concentration in the ovarian vein during the 2nd diestrous period reached a peak 4 days after the 1st estrus and the level was maintained until 11 days after the 1st estrus. The level of 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one remained fairly constant throughout the 2nd diestrous period.

Animals

Changes in body weight, milk production, food and water consumptions and vaginal smears in rats during prolonged lactation.

Concurrent observations were made in the rat on the changes in the milk production, body and organ weight, food and water consumptions and in the ovarian function in two separate series of experiments in which the period of lactation was prolonged to 60 and 45 days, respectively, by replacing suckling pups by younger ones. In most of the variable examined, marked changes occured between day 20 and 30 of lactation, that is, at the stage correspondong to the end of the normal lactation period. Milk production rate during prolonged lactation expressed by daily gain in weight of litters decreased to 60% of the level before day 20, and was associated with a great reduction of nucleic acid contents of the mammary gland. Definite decreases in weight of the anterior pituitary and the adrenal glands were observed. The food intake remained constant from day 15 of lactation onwards, therefore, the feed efficiency for milk production declined gradually during the period of normal lactatation remaining at a low level thereafter.. After the first recurrence of vaginal estrus which also occured between day 20 and 30, the replacement of litters was followed by the appearance of estrus, whereas replacement before day 15 did not affect the ovarian function. In addtition to these changes, a depressing effect of estrus on the milk production was observed.

Adrenal Glands

Mammary nucleic acids and pituitary prolactin secretion during prolonged lactation in mice.

Lactation was prolonged until 61 days by repeated renewal of litters every week after day 12 in primiparous C3H/He strain mice. On days 12, 19, 40, and 61 of lactation, litters were removed for 5 h and after 1 h of resuckling the synthesis of DNA and RNA in the mammary gland was estimated by the incorporation of (3H)thymidine and (14C)uridine into mammary DNA and RNA in vitro respectively. Mammary nucleic acid content and pituitary and plasma levels of prolactin were also assayed. Nulliparous mice were similarly treated on day 19 of pregnancy. The percentage gain in litter weight per week was highest between days 5 and 12 of lactation, declined until days 26-33 and became steady thereafter. Mammary DNA synthesis was extremely high on day 19 of pregnancy, decreased on day 12 of lactation to less than one-fifteenth of that on day 19 of pregnancy and increased linearly therafter. Changes in mammary DNA content were not so marked, but DNA content was high on days 12 and 19 of lactation. RNA synthesis was highest on day 19 of pregnancy, abruptly decreased on days 12 and 19 of lactation and increased again with the advance of lactation. Mammary RNA content, RNA:DNA and 14C:3H ratios increased from day 19 of pregnancy to days 12-19 of lactation and decreased on days 40 and 61. While the pituitary levels of prolactin were almost constant during lactation, they were significantly higher than those on day 19 of pregnancy. There were only slight differences in plasma prolactin levels at any stage.

Animals

Breast-milk calcium concentrations during prolonged lactation in British and rural Gambian mothers.

Detailed investigation of breast-milk calcium concentrations during 2 years of lactation have been conducted in Cambridge, UK, and rural Gambia. Mature milk concentrations remained steady for 3 months but declined during months 4-12 by over 25% (p less than 0.001). The pattern was identical in both communities despite differences in breast-feeding practices. Calcium concentrations were not related to feed frequency or breast-milk sodium concentrations, suggesting that breast involution is not responsible for the decrease after 3 months. Breast-milk calcium concentrations were characteristic of the individual, varied twofold between mothers and were independent of maternal age, parity and milk output. Gambian breast-milk contained 19% less calcium than Cambridge milk, throughout lactation (p less than 0.001). The extent to which this reflected the lower calcium intakes of Gambian mothers is unknown. Further studies are required to determine factors regulating breast-milk calcium secretion.

Breast Feeding

Zinc in breast milk during prolonged lactation: comparison between the UK and the Gambia.

A total of 580 breast milk samples were collected from 56 lactating women living in a rural village community in The Gambia, West Africa, and 92 samples were obtained from 57 lactating women living in Cambridge, England. Total zinc content of each sample was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, and pooled samples of the Gambian breast milks, representing successive periods of lactation, were fractionated into fat, whey and insoluble casein fractions, to examine zinc distribution. The two sets of milks both exhibited a dramatic decline in total zinc concentrations with increasing duration of lactation, in common with previous studies. However, the UK milks unexpectedly had lower zinc contents at all stages than the Gambian milks. Milk zinc levels were not significantly related to either maternal age or parity in the Gambian women. The proportion of zinc found in the sedimentable fraction remained nearly constant with increasing duration of lactation, but the proportion found in the fat fraction increased and the proportion in the whey fraction declined. These observations are potentially relevant for estimations of milk zinc availability and the fulfillment of zinc requirements by infants, and hence for infant feeding practices.

Adolescent

Breast-milk amylase activity in English and Gambian mothers: effects of prolonged lactation, maternal parity, and individual variations.

Breast milk contains an amylase that may contribute to carbohydrate digestion in infants. The aim of our study was to determine whether mothers differ in their breast-milk amylase activity and whether the activity is maintained during prolonged lactation. This was investigated by measuring breast-milk amylase activity by hydrolysis of maltotetraose in 63 English mothers of parity 1-5 and 107 Gambian mothers of parity 1-12 who were at various stages of lactation (0.5-27 mo). Amylase was present in all samples and showed a great range of activity from 0.08 to 3.53 IU/mL. Amylase activities did not vary during a feed nor over 24 h, and each mother had a characteristic level of activity in her milk. Amylase activity was higher in the 1st trimester of lactation, and decreased by 35% (p less than 0.001) to a plateau at 6-27 mo. Gambian mothers of very high parity (parity 11-12) had 54% of the activity of primiparous mothers (p less than 0.001), after adjustment for stage of lactation. Using community data on milk volume, the estimated breast-milk amylase intake by breast-fed children was on the order of 800-1000 IU/24 h in the 1st trimester and 400 IU/24 h in the 2nd year of lactation. Individual measurements emphasized the great differences in this intake among children of the same age. Our study showed that breast milk is an important source of amylase both in developed and developing countries, but there are large variations in intake among children.

Adult

Prolactin secretion during prolonged lactational amenorrhoea.

Basal serum prolactin levels were elevated up to 66 weeks postpartum in lactating amenorrhoeic women. The serum prolactin level in fully breast-feeding women was significantly higher than in women who were partially breast-feeding. The mean basal serum prolactin level in menstruating, lactating women was significantly higher than the mean level in women who had weaned and had normal menstrual cycles. The rise in prolactin due to suckling was seen up to 66 weeks postpartum. The marked variability and lack of reproducibility of individual suckling responses may obscure the importance of prolactin secretion in the postpartum period. Nevertheless, this study confirms that prolactin secretion is increased in women with prolonged lactational amenorrhoea.

Amenorrhea

Prolonged lactation contributes to depletion of maternal energy reserves in Filipino women.

This paper identifies determinants of women's postpartum weight and weight change in a large group of Filipino women followed for 24 mo. Longitudinal, multivariate models focused on the effects of lactation, while controlling for energy intake, energy expenditure, reproductive history and seasonality. Lactation was found to have a significant negative effect on weight of urban women. The negative effects of lactation increased with the intensity and duration of breast-feeding. Among rural women negative effects of lactation on weight were observed only after 10-14 mo. Models of net postpartum weight change (from 2 to 24 mo) among nonpregnant women confirmed an important role for lactation. The likelihood of weight loss was significantly increased by lactation of more than 12-mo duration, by greater maternal age and by low dietary energy intake. The effects of lactation on maternal energy reserves can be mitigated substantially be increasing maternal dietary energy intakes.

Energy Intake

Serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations in mothers during and after prolonged exclusive lactation.

The effect of exclusive lactation on lipid levels was investigated by evaluating serum concentrations of total and lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and apoprotein (apo) B in mothers during and after exclusive, prolonged lactation. Serum total cholesterol concentrations were measured at delivery (n = 195), at 2 (n = 165), 6 (n = 119), 9 (n = 74), and 12 months (n = 32) of lactation, and 2 months (n = 27) after ending this exclusive lactation. In a subgroup of 34 mothers, serum levels of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein 2 (HDL2), HDL3, and LDL apo B were determined at 2, 6, 9, and 12 months of lactation. The mean value of serum total cholesterol concentrations decreased from 6.2 +/- 0.12 (SEM; n = 195) at delivery to 4.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/L (n = 116) at 6 months of exclusive lactation (P < .001). The average decrement in total cholesterol level was 0.80 mmol/L (P < .001) from delivery to 2 months of lactation and 0.55 mmol/L (P < .001) from 2 to 6 months of lactation, and levels were stable thereafter. In the 27 mothers who were exclusively breast-feeding their infants at 9 months of lactation and whose serum cholesterol levels were measured 2 months after the end of lactation, cholesterol levels increased rapidly to 5.7 +/- 0.21 mmol/L (P = .001). In the subgroup of 34 mothers who were examined more closely, the course just described was also true for serum TG, LDL and VLDL cholesterol, and LDL apo B levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Apolipoproteins B

Nutritional aspects of human lactation.

This paper reviews the literature on the incidence and duration of breast-feeding in various countries, the volume and composition of breast milk, the health and nutrition of breast-fed babies as judged by growth and morbidity, maternal nutritional requirements during lactation, and the effect of prolonged lactation on maternal health. It appears that lactation can be as well sustained by impoverished as by affluent mothers, and that even in communities where malnutrition is common the average growth of infants is satisfactory up to the age of about 3 months on a diet of breast milk alone. Breast milk appears to have specific anti-infective properties, but prolonged breast-feeding will not prevent infections among older infants reared in a poor environment. The authors believe that breast-feeding is the best form of nutrition for the young infant and deplore its decline in modern industrial societies. The recommendations of various FAO/WHO Expert Groups on nutritional intakes during lactation are summarized. The need for an increased daily energy intake of 4.2 MJ (1 000 kcal) is questioned, and an increase of 2.5 MJ (600 kcal) is suggested. Data on the effect of prolonged lactation on the health of the mother are scanty; body weight appears to be maintained even among poorly nourished mothers. The authors stress the need for well-planned and technically adequate studies of the material and psychological factors involved in breast feeding.

Breast Feeding

Lactate kinetics in severe COPD. Implications of an abnormal aminopyrine breath test.

The ability of the 13C aminopyrine breath test (APBT) to reflect hepatocellular metabolic capacity and therefore to predict lactate removal following incremental exercise in male COPD patients was evaluated. Two previous patients with COPD who had histories of heavy alcohol intake but no overt liver disease showed prolonged lactate elevation following exercise. The possibility of subclinical hepatic disease affecting lactate removal was considered. No patient in the present study had clinical evidence of liver disease. Four of 9 patients had an abnormal APBT (mean 5.0% cumulative dose 13CO2 excreted over 2 h). Patients with a normal APBT (group 1) and with an abnormal APBT (group 2) were compared. The groups did not differ in age or severity of lung disease. An incremental exercise test was performed and lactate samples were collected before, during, and for 90 min following exercise. Exercise parameters (work rate, duration, VO2max, VEmax, and peak lactate) did not differ between groups. Comparing group 1 with group 2 mean values, the time to recover to resting lactate values (Trecov 45 vs 76 min, respectively, p less than 0.005) and the time required for lactate level to return to the normal range (Tnorm 35 vs 65 min, respectively, p less than 0.005) were statistically different. Furthermore, the 2-h excretion of 13CO2 was inversely correlated with both Trecov (r = -0.76, p less than 0.05) and Tnorm (r = -0.79, p less than 0.05). We conclude that subclinical derangement of hepatocellular capacity, as determined by APBT, may adversely affect lactate removal following exercise.

Aminopyrine

Ultrastructural studies on the hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons of the rat. III. Paraventricular and supraoptic neurons during lactation and dehydration.

The ultrastructural features of paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) neurons and of their axons were studied in lactating and dehydrated rats. Under both conditions of stimulation, the PVN and SON neurons and their axons enlarge. The protein synthesizing apparatus of the neurons becomes activated, but the number of neurosecretory granules (NSG) is decreased. No differences are seen between the PVN and SON neurons during lactation or dehydration. The similarity and simultaneity of the response of the PVN and SON neurons to these two different stimuli is discussed in the light of the theory of nuclear and neuronal specialization for the production of only one hormone. After prolonged lactation of over 2 1/2 weeks' duration, neurons with extreme vacuolation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) appear in the PVN and SON; the vacuolated neurons appear earlier and predominantly in the PVN involving a maximum of 10-15% of all PVN neurons. Vacuolated neurons were never seen in either nucleus during dehydration of up to 6 days' duration. The vacuolation is suggested to represent an exhaustion phenomenon due to an intense, long-lasting stimulus for oxytocin synthesis. The predominant location of the vacuolated neurons in the PVN supports the theory that oxytocin is produced predominantly in the PVN. The decrease in the number of NSGs during these states of enhanced hormone secretion is considered to corroborate the proposed existence of an extragranular fast axoplasmic transport mechanism in PVN and SON neurons. The possible existence of a reuptake mechanism into NSGs, similar to that in the vesicles of monoaminergic nerve endings is discussed.

Animals

The concentrations of copper and zinc in human milk. A longitudinal study.

Twenty-seven healthy Finnish mothers were followed during the course of their entire lactation period. A total of 229 individual milk samples, collected in the beginning and at the end of each feed during a 24-h period, were obtained from the 2nd week to the 9th month of lactation. The copper and zinc concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of the trace-elements investigated were dependent on the stage of lactation. The median copper and zinc concentrations decreased during the course of lactation from about 0.60 mg/l and 4.0 mg/l to 0.25 mg/l and 0.5 mg/l, respectively. The importance of considering the stage of lactation in the evaluation of the trace-element nutrition value of breast milk should be emphasized. The calculated means of the concentrations of these trace-elements in mature human milk presented in the literature seem to overestimate the actual levels in prolonged lactation.

Breast Feeding

[Mechanism of mammary cancer regression in lactating rats].

Dependence of the incidence of regression of the transplantable carcinoma of the mammary gland RMK-1 in albino rats on lactation conditions was studied. The tumour was subject to regression in 47% of the animals nursing 8 +/- 1 ratlings. Following ovariectomy and cortisone and oxytocine administration which produced mediated inhibitory effect of FSH secretion of the hypophysis the frequency of the tumour regression in rats nursing the same number of ratlings rose to 71--81%. In rats with prolonged lactation nursing 8 +/- 1 ratlings for 2--2.5 months and in rats with intensive lactation nursing 13 +/- 2 ratlings the tumour regression practically failed to occur. The data obtained confirmed the suggestion that along with high LTH of the hypophysis secretion of importance for regression of mammary carcinoma in the course of lactation was reduction of the secretion of FSH of the hypophysis.

Animals