The induction by exogenous hormones of enzymes metabolising glucose 6-phosphate in the mammary gland of the pseudopregnant rabbit

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Abstract
Summary A study was made of the effects of the hormones, prolactin and cortisol acetate, on the activities in the mammary gland of the pseudopregnant rabbit of the enzymes concerned with lactose biosynthesis and glucose 6-phosphate metabolism, namely: UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, UDP-glucose-4'-epimerase, phosphofructokinase, phosphoglucomutase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Significant increases in enzyme activities were observed in rabbits examined 3 or 4 days after receiving a mammary intraductal injection of prolactin. The activities were not significantly increased at examination 2 days after injection of prolactin. Rabbits receiving cortisol acetate each day for 3 days also showed no significant increases in mammary enzyme activity. However, when prolactin and cortisol acetate were given simultaneously over a period of 3 days, increased enzyme activities were found suggesting synergistic action of the hormones.