Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland
Published on: December 1, 2015
Prolactin-releasing peptide mRNA expression in mouse medulla remains relatively stable during pregnancy and lactation
1Key Laboratory of Regulation on Animal Growth and Development, Agricultural Ministry of China, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China. zhuheshui@163.com
Abstract:
We compared levels of prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) mRNA expression in mouse medulla at different stages of pregnancy and lactation. Mouse medulla samples were collected on days 6, 12 and 18 of pregnancy and lactation, respectively (six per group), for mRNA. Expression levels of PrRP mRNA in the medulla were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, with glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase as a control. PrRP mRNA was highly expressed in mouse medulla oblongata on day 6 of pregnancy (0.53), followed by 0.43 at lactation day 6, and 0.42 at lactation day 12. The expression level of PrRP mRNA on days 12 and 18 of pregnancy and day 18 of lactation shared the same value of 0.36. PrRP mRNA levels during lactation decreased slightly compared with that during pregnancy, but the differences between them were not significant. In summary, PrRP mRNA levels in the medulla oblongata remain relatively stable during pregnancy and lactation. This is evidence that medulla PrRP is not involved in the regulation of prolactin secretion.
Related Concept Videos
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Hormones of the Pituitary Gland
The most abundantly secreted hormone from the anterior lobe is the growth hormone, which controls overall growth by...
Ovarian Cycle

