Abstract
Summary
Progesterone injections administered during the first or second week after parturition did not markedly suppress lactation in the rat. Subcutaneous doses of 2-mg progesterone in 0.1 ml sesame oil twice daily on postpartum Days 1-7 only significantly reduce weight gains in the young on one day, on postpartum Day 3. Because nursing behavior was also suppressed, it was not possible to dissociate an effect of progesterone on lactation alone. Like doses of progesterone from Days 6-12 had no effect on lactation.
Supported by a Temple University Research Grant, and Grant HD-04715 from the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development. I am endebted to Jeffrey Fronton and Ronald Yoder for technical assistance on this research.
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