The study of a physiological significance of prolactin in the regulation of calcium metabolism during pregnancy and lactation in rats

Abstract

Since a pharmacological dose of prolactin has previously been reported to enhance calcium absorption and bone calcium turnover, the role of endogenous prolactin in the regulation of calcium metabolism was investigated in the balance studies of Wistar rats between days 17 and 20 of first (P1) and fourth (P4) pregnancy and between days 12 and 15 of lactation (L). Each group was divided into 3 subgroups: one subgroup was given 0.9% NaCl (control); one was given 0.3 mg bromocriptine/100 g body weight ip twice daily for 3 days (to suppress prolactin secretion); and one was given bromocriptine and 0.25 mg prolactin/100 g body weight sc daily for 3 days. All three groups received 1 mL/100 g body weight of 1.25 mM calcium gluconate containing 2 mCi (1 Ci = 37 GBq)45Ca daily for 3 days. Compared with the two pregnant controls, the L group had higher food consumption and higher fecal calcium excretion and lower urinary calcium excretion (% intake). Bromocriptine administration increased total calcium excretion from 59% intake to 84 and 66% intake in P1 and P4, respectively, suggesting that endogenous prolactin decreased total calcium excretion. On the other hand, exogenous prolactin had no effect on the calcium balance of P1 but increased the total calcium excretion in P4 from 57 to 66% intake. In contrast, the calcium balance of lactating rats was not altered by suppression of endogenous prolactin secretion or exogenous prolactin. Considering bone45Ca content as representing bone Ca turnover, a lower value of bone45Ca content indicated an accelerated bone Ca turnover. It was found that bromocriptine had no effect in P1 but decreased bone Ca turnover rate in the P4 and L groups, indicating an accelerating effect of endogenous prolactin on bone Ca turnover in the P4 and L groups. Exogenous prolactin, on the other hand, decreased bone Ca turnover rate in every group. Muscle Ca turnover was affected by bromocriptine and exogenous prolactin in the same manner as bone45Ca contents. Interestingly, the biphasic action of prolactin was demonstrated in both calcium absorption and bone calcium turnover. It could be concluded that during pregnancy and lactation, endogenous prolactin increases food consumption, fractional calcium absorption, and bone calcium turnover, apparently to increase calcium availability for fetal development and milk calcium secretion.