ISSN:
1615-6102
Keywords:
Mammary gland
;
Cell differentiation
;
Autocrine control
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Milk secretion and mammary function in dairy animals are regulated by local mechanisms sensitive to the frequency or efficiency of milking. Acute local control of milk secretion occurs through autocrine feedback inhibition by a milk protein. Sustained changes in milking frequency and milk secretion are associated with longer-term adaptations in the degree of differentiation and, ultimately, the number of mammary epithelial cells. Differentiation of cultured mammary cells is suppressed by a milk fraction containing the inhibitor, suggesting that intra-mammary regulation of differentiation in vivo is elicited by the same autocrine regulator subsequent to its acute effect on milk secretion. The autocrine factor may affect mammary cell differentiation by modulating the number of cell surface hormone receptors for prolactin, thereby changing their sensitivity to circulating hormones.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01322594
Permalink
