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Updated: May 22, 2026
Ultrasonography in Experimental Reproductive Investigations on Rats
Published on: December 2, 2017
[Low frequency ultrasound promotes lactation in lactating rats]
1College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. baterwang@163.com
Objective:
To investigate the effect of low-frequency ultrasound in promoting milk secretion in rats during lactation.
Methods:
Twenty-four lactating SD rats feeding 10 suckling rats each were randomly allocated into 3 groups, namely the control group (with sham irradiation), 5 min group (with ultrasonic irradiation of the breast for 5 min daily), and 10 min group (irradiation for 10 min daily). The mammary glands of the rats were consistently irradiated by low-frequency ultrasound (40 kHz, 0.26 W/cm(2)) for 7 days since the 2nd day after delivery. The milk yield, average body weight gain of the offspring, mammary gland index, serum prolactin (PRL) and breast histology were examined.
Results:
The milk yield, body weight gain of offspring, mammary gland index and serum PRL concentration in 10 min group were significantly greater than those in the control group and 5 min group (P<0.05). Compared with the other two groups, the 10 min group showed significantly increased acinar gland expansion and acinar number.
Conclusion:
Low-frequency ultrasound can promote milk secretion in lactating rats, suggesting its potential as a new approach of physical therapy for promoting milk secretion.
