A Review of Endocrine Regulation of Metabolism during Lactation

Abstract

Lactogenesis signals the shift from uterine nutrient transfer to the fetus to neonatal nourishment at the mammary gland. Metabolic adaptations involved in this process are under endocrine regulation. Key events include an increase in blood flow to mammary tissue, a decrease in nutrient utilization by peripheral tissues and an increase in nutrient utilization by mammary tissue for milk synthesis. Deficits of certain substrates during early lactation require mobilization of those substrates from depot stores. Changes in metabolism of various tissues are related to changes in hormone receptor populations of those tissues and hormone concentrations in blood. Hormone receptors are therefore the primary mechanism by which information from the endocrine systems is linked to cellular metabolism. Endocrine changes at parturition result in dramatic changes in receptor populations of key tissues such as adipose and mammary tissues. Knowledge in this area, however, is incomplete. Relationship between hormone receptors and specific cellular metabolic pathways remains unresolved. (

Revue bibliographique : Variations quantitatives et métabolisme des lipides dans les tissus adipeux et le foie au cours du cycle gestation-lactation 2e partie : chez la brebis et la vache

“…Une tendance à la lipomobilisation a toutefois été observée dans certaines expériences de longue durée (Soderholm et al, 1986a, b Emery, 1973 ;Convey, 1974 ;Patterson et Linzell, 1974 ;Bauman, 1976 ;Swan, 1976 ;Coggins et Field, 1978 ;Hart et al, 1978Hart et al, , 1979Miller et al, 1978 ;Cowie et al, 1980 ;Walsh et al, 1980 ;Trenkle, 1981 ;Blum et al, 1982Blum et al, , 1983Blum, 1983, Mc Dowell, 1983Bitman et al, 1984b ;Collier et al, 1984 ;Refsal et al, 1984 ;Aceves et al, 1985 ;Akasha et al, 1985 ;Frohli et Pethes et al, 1985 ;Plaut et al, 1985 ;Thilsted, 1985b ;Bauman et Mc Cutcheon, 1986 ;Gerloff et al, 1986bJ. Les réponses de la sécrétion d'hormone de croissance à la sous-alimentation (revue de Vernon, 1980) ou à la gestation (Koprowski et Tucker, 1973) (Collier et al, 1984). La mobilisation des protéines corporelles (revue de Chilliard et al, 1983) Van den Bergh, 1972 ;Metz et al, 1974 (Little, 1974 ;Rowlands, 1978 ;Treacher, 1978 ;Larnicol et al, 1984).…”

Changes in the concentrations of glucose, non-esterifed fatty acids, urea, insulin, cortisol and some mineral elements in the plasma of the primiparous sow before, during and after induced parturition

“…In addition, Collier et al [3] suggested that the increase in the adrenergic receptor population in adipose tissue when lactogenesis occurs results in an increase in epinephrine-stimulated fatty acid release, and consequently, in an increase in circulating plasma NEFA. According to Neil [20] and Le Cozler et al [14], the level of circulating urea mainly reflected the feed intake of the sow, rather than protein mobilization. Thus, the lower concentration of urea observed on the day of parturition compared with the values observed before or after farrowing, was, then, most likely the result of the low feed intake.…”

Bromocriptine Treatment for Inappropriate Lactation in Mares: A Case Report

“…As women [23,24], rats [25], cows, and sheep [26,27] have a state of relative hypothyroidism during lactation, with levels of circulating T3 and T4 significantly lower [28], this condition may explain the decrease in circulating T4 in the mare of this case report.…”