Abstract
Summary
Adrenal corticosterone content and concentration decreased linearly from days 16 to 32 of lactation. Peripheral plasma concentrations of corticosterone in lactating rats were higher than the resting levels measured in virgin rats. However, corticosterone concentrations in plasma did not change significantly between days 16 and 32 of lactation. Rats killed at day 32 of lactation had a greater plasma corticoid binding globulin (CBG) activity than rats killed at days 16 and 24. Adrenal corticosterone content was correlated significantly with mammary gland RNA, DNA, and litter weight gain. The data support the concept that adrenal secretions may be rate limiting to milk synthesis during prolonged lactation.
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