Effects of chronic infusion of porcine relaxin on oxytocin release in lactating rats

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Abstract
The effects of chronic infusion of porcine relaxin on oxytocin release were studied in lactating rats. Infusion of relaxin (4·2 μg/h for either 4 or 6 days) suppressed reflex milk ejection and reduced litter weight gain for 48 h compared with saline-infused controls. After 2 days, neither the rate of growth nor the frequency of milk ejection were significantly different from controls. For 24 h after the infusion of relaxin ended, litters gained weight more quickly than controls but there was no difference seen in the frequency of milk ejection. The effects on oxytocin release of stopping an infusion of relaxin after 3 days were investigated. There was a significant (P J. Endocr. (1987) 114, 241–246