Influence of estrous cycle on acute stress induced prolactin secretion in nulliparous and primiparous female rats

• Grant number: 10/17886-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Erica Engelberg Cook
• Grantee: Flavia Martins da Silva
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Extensão. Centro Universitário da Fundação de Ensino Octávio Bastos (UNIFEOB). Fundação de Ensino Octávio Bastos (FEOB). São João da Boa Vista , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Prolactin is a hormone well described to have trofic effects on mamary gland during gestation and lactation. On the other hand, this adenohypophyseal hormone release can be modulated by stress, showing a increased response. Physiological influences such as reproductive experience, i.e., gestation, delivery and lactation period as well as estrus cycle can prolactin seric concentrantions. In earlier studies, reproductive experience modulated prolactin response to acute stress, which was dependent of the type of stress applied to female rats. Thus, the objective of the present study is to evaluate possible influences of estrus cycle on seric concentrations of prolactin during one hour of restrained stress in nulliparous and primiparous rats. (AU)