Gestational prolactin level on days 19, 20 and 21 in Wistar rats

Abstract

Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone synthesized in and secreted from specialized cells of the anterior pituitary gland, whose main function is the development of the mammary gland during pregnancy. The aim of this research was to evaluate the concentration of prolactin during the last 3 days of pregnancy in wistar rats. Twenty (20) female wistar rats were used; they were divided into the control and the pregnant groups. The pregnant group was further subdivided into 3 different days of pregnancy; Day 19, Day 20 and Day 21 (n=5). Blood samples were collected from all groups and prolactin concentration was analyzed using prolactin ELISA kit. Analysis of results showed a significant increasein prolactin level during pregnancy. Prolactin level on day 19 (0.64 ± 0.051ng/mL) of pregnancy was significantly higher (P< 0.05), when compared to day 20 (0.34 ± 0.025), 21 (0.225 ± 0.025) and with the control (0.175 ± 0.025). Also prolactin level on day 20 was higher than that for control (p<0.05). Conclusively, prolactin levels during pregnancy increases during pregnancy and peaks at a period (day 19) and starts to decrease before delivery.

Keywords: Prolactin, Pregnancy, Mammary gland, Delivery