LIPID-PEROXIDATION, LOW-LEVEL CHEMILUMINESCENCE AND REGULATION OF SECRETION IN THE MAMMARY-GLAND

In mammary explants of lactating mice, changes in the intensity of che miluminescence (CL) were observed after the addition to the incubation medium of hormones and mediators that are involved in the regulation of secretion: oxytocin, acetylcholine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. A 15-min period of treatment with oxytocin, epinephrine or norepineph rine changed the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA RS). Two mammary explants, one of which was treated with oxytocin, ace tylcholine, epinephrine or norepinephrine, were found to interact even when separated by a quartz glass wall. Analysis of the level of TBARS formation in these two explants showed that the observed interactions might be connected with light emission resulting from lipid peroxidat ion (LP) processes. The possible role of LP and low-level CL in the re gulation of mammary gland secretion is discussed.