A Possible Role of Prolactin on Growth and Maturation of the Gut During Development in the Rat

Authors:
  • YBY. Buj
    Y. Buj
  • YWY. Wollman
    Y. Wollman
  • SRS. Reif
    S. Reif
  • AGA. Golander
    A. Golander
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Abstract
The growth and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract during development is influenced by diverse genetic and growth factors. Since prolactin is abundant in amniotic fluid and breast milk, we hypothesized that it may also affect gut development. The effect of prolactin on thymidine incorporation and tissue alkaline phosphatase, maltase and lactase activity was studied on jejunal explants from fetal, newborn and 2 week-old rats. The results were compared with the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) under identical experimental conditions. Prolactin induced a significant increase in proliferation and a two- to threefold increase in maltase and alkaline phosphatase activity of the newborn explants. The effect of prolactin in this group compared to that of EGF was significantly greater with respect to proliferation, and almost identical with respect to the hydrolases studied. These results suggest that prolactin might have a role in the process of growth and maturation of the gut mucosa during ontogeny.
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