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Relationship between milk composition and pup's growth in mice
H Nagasawa1, T Naito, K Kataoka
1Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Kanagawa, Japan.
Summary
Milk fat content significantly impacts mouse pup growth, especially in later lactations. Higher milk fat and lower moisture correlate with better pup development, highlighting fat's crucial role.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Mammalian Physiology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Milk composition varies across lactation stages and maternal factors.
- Understanding these variations is key to optimizing offspring development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of lactation number on mouse milk composition.
- To determine the relationship between milk composition and pup growth across different mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of milk fat, moisture, lactose, and ash content.
- Correlation of milk composition with pup body weight and growth rates.
- Comparison across four mouse strains (SHN, SLN, C3H/He, GR/A) and lactation numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
Main Results:
- Milk fat and moisture composition showed strain-specific changes with lactation number.
- No significant correlation between milk composition and pup growth in the first lactation.
- Positive correlation of milk fat and negative correlation of milk moisture with pup growth in the second and third lactations.
- GR/A mice exhibited lower milk fat, higher moisture, and reduced pup growth, particularly in later lactations.
Conclusions:
- Milk fat is a critical determinant of mouse pup growth, especially during the second and third lactations.
- Milk moisture content inversely affects pup growth.
- Strain-specific milk composition influences offspring development outcomes.