Effect of Follicular Fluid on the Surface Ultrastructure of Rat Granulosa Cells in vitro

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Abstract
Serum prolactin was measured by radioimmunoassay in primiparous lactating (L), primiparous thelectomized (nipple removed; PT), multiparous thelectomized (with 1 prior normal lactation experience; MT), virgins (MV) induced to display maternal behavior (retrieving, pup licking and adopting the lactating position) and in nonmaternal virgin females (NMV) not previously exposed to pups. On postpartum Day 7 or on 1 diestrous day between Days 6-10 after the onset of maternal care in the MV group, pups were removed at 0900 h and were either returned or not returned at 1500 h. Rats were decapitated at 1530 h. Prolactin was significantly higher when pups were returned to the L and MT groups and the MV group that had been maternal for 8-10 days and, among these groups, prolactin levels were: L>MT = MV (Days 8-10). Thus, prolactin is released in response to pup stimuli in the absence of suckling and is influenced by a previous lactation experience and by the concurrent duration of the maternal behavior state in virgin rats.