Expression of prolactin mRNA in rat mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation

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Abstract

We studied the expression of prolactin (PRL) mRNA in the mammary gland of resting, pregnant, lactating, and weanling rats using in situ and solution reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In mid- to late pregnancy and throughout lactation, PRL mRNA was detected in both in situ and solution RT-PCR. These PRL mRNA signals were clearly identified in the cytoplasm of alveolar and ductal mammary epithelial cells by the in situ RT-PCR method. In mid- to late pregnancy, such as at the initiating point of PRL mRNA expression, we confirmed in some cases a lack of PRL mRNA by solution RTPCR. In addition, in the early weaning phase, no signals were detected by solution RT-PCR. However, slight focal signals were detected in some poorly vacuolated cytoplasm of regressing acinar cells by in situ RT- PCR. These findings suggest that PRL mRNA in rat mammary gland begins in mid- to late pregnancy in parallel with the development of the mammary gland, continues throughout lactation, and declines in the early phase of weaning, with regression of mammary epithelial cells.

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Iwasaka, T., Umemura, S., Kakimoto, K., Koizumi, H., & Osamura, Y. R. (2000). Expression of prolactin mRNA in rat mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 48(3), 389–395. https://doi.org/10.1177/002215540004800308

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