REPRODUCTION OF FEMALE DWARF MICE TREATED WITH PROLACTIN

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Abstract
Genetically dwarf female mice are sterile but reproduction and lactation can be induced with prolactin-producing heterotopic pituitary homografts. To test if prolactin deficiency is the sole cause of the sterility, female dwarf mice were treated with purified prolactin. Dwarf (dwdw) and Ames dwarf (dfdf) mice in which the vaginae opened spontaneously were mated to non-dwarf males and injected with sheep prolactin starting on the day of plug formation. Pregnancy, delivery and lactation were obtained in both kinds of dwarf mouse indicating that, in the stocks used, the addition of prolactin alone is sufficient for reproduction.