Interaction of late pregnancy and lactation in rats

The effect of pregnancy on lactation was studied during the third week of l actational pregnancy in postpartum pregnant rats with a delay in implantati on of only 1 day (1d-LP rats). In an experimental design in which the suckl ing litter was prevented from consuming solid food, lactational performance was estimated by weighing the ten-pup suckling litters on days 16-21 of la ctation or by measuring maternal weight loss after a nursing spell on day 2 1. In 1d-LP rats, food consumption as well as lactational performance was l ower than it was in nonpregnant lactating rats (L rats) and pregnant-lactat ing rats with a normal long delay of implantation of at least 6 days (LP ra ts). The time spent by the pups sucking at the nipples was not different am ong the three groups, but the number of milk ejections was diminished in 1d -LP dams. Restriction of daily food supply during days 16 to 21 of lactatio n diminished lactational performance more strongly in 1d-LP rats than it di d in L rats; 1d-LP rats conserved protein stores and mobilized fewer minera ls than did L rats. The weight and composition of the litter in utero were not affected by the food restriction. Ln pregnant-lactating rats (LP and 1d -LP rats), the number of early resorptions was increased in comparison with pregnant rats, showing that lactation can affect the earlier stages of pre gnancy. It was concluded that late pregnancy does not affect nursing behavi our, but suppresses lactation by restricting maternal food intake and mobil ization of maternal stores. Measurements in serum indicate a causative role for oestradiol, but not for leptin.