Kamonshanok Kraidith. A longitudinal study of the prolactin-stimulated transepithelial calcium transport in the duodenum of pregnant and lactating rats. Master's Degree(Physiology). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2009.
A longitudinal study of the prolactin-stimulated transepithelial calcium transport in the duodenum of pregnant and lactating rats
Abstract:
Prolactin (PRL) is known to stimulate the duodenal calcium absorption in
nonmated rats. However, the effects of PRL on intestinal calcium absorption in
pregnant, lactating, and suckling rats as well as its mechanisms were not well
understood. The present study, therefore, aimed to (i) investigate the PRL-enhanced
duodenal calcium transport during pregnancy and lactation, (ii) to determine the
PRL-induced changes in the charge selectivity of the duodenal epithelium, and (iii)
to investigate the physiological significance of the suckling-induced PRL surge in
the regulation of duodenal calcium absorption in lactating rats. The direct
stimulatory effect of PRL on the cecum which has the highest rate of calcium
absorption was also investigated. Rats were divided into 7 groups, i.e., day-14 and-
21 pregnancy (P14 and P21), day-7, -14, and -21 lactation (L7, L14 and L21), and
15-day postweaning. Calcium flux and charge selectivity were determined by
Ussing chamber and dilution potential techniques, respectively.
The results showed that chronic PRL exposure was responsible for the
elevated baseline of the duodenal calcium absorption during pregnancy and
lactation, especially in P21 and L7 groups, while the transient PRL surge during
suckling rapidly enhanced the transepithelial calcium transport to the maximal
capacity above the newly elevated baseline. The chronic effect of endogenous PRL
on calcium transport was abolished by 7-day bromocriptine administration, which
inhibited the pituitary PRL release. Such an effect was restored by exogenous PRL
administration. PRL altered the charge selectivity of the duodenal epithelium
during pregnancy and lactation and made it more cation-selective by increasing
PNa, without changing in PCl. The milk volume ingested by pups during suckling
correlated well with the enhanced total calcium fluxes. PRL also directly stimulated
the transepithelial calcium absorption in the cecum and increased its cation
selectivity.
It could be concluded that PRL elevated the baseline of duodenal calcium
absorption during pregnancy and lactation, and also altered the epithelial charge
selectivity. A further increase in the duodenal calcium absorption resulted from the
suckling-induced PRL surge. Moreover, the cecal calcium absorption was directly
stimulated by PRL.