The suckling stimulus exerts an inhibitory action on the release of gonadotrophins during lactation. The possible involvement of the adrenal glands in this process was examined by studying the plasma levels of gonadotrophins in lactating rats ovariectomized on the day after parturition. It appeared that the suppression, throughout suckling, of the rise in levels of gonadotrophins in blood after ovariectomy occurred to the same extent in adrenalectomized and in sham-operated animals. It thus seems unlikely that adrenocortical hormones, albeit secreted in larger quantities during lactation, exert an inhibitory effect on the release of gonadotrophins.
Adrenalectomy had a marked effect on the plasma concentrations of prolactin during the second half of lactation. Whereas plasma concentrations of prolactin in the first half of lactation were similar in adrenalectomized and sham-operated rats, the concentrations in adrenalectomized rats did not undergo the reduction found in sham-operated rats. Adrenal hormones may thus be involved in the reduction of blood levels of prolactin observed in rats and in other mammals as lactation progresses.
Journal of Endocrinology is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Online ISSN: 1479-6805
Print ISSN: 0022-0795
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519
