Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
07:30
Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents
Published on: June 10, 2013
25.2K
Providing domperidone throughout lactation enhances sow lactation performance
Chantal Farmer1, Marie-France Palin1
1Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke R & D Centre, 2000 College, Sherbrooke, Québec J1M 0C8, Canada.
Journal of Animal Science
|June 27, 2021
Summary
Domperidone treatment during lactation increased prolactin and free fatty acids in sows, leading to heavier piglets. Gene expression in mammary cells was altered, impacting milk protein production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Domperidone is a dopamine antagonist used to increase prolactin secretion.
- Lactation involves complex hormonal and metabolic regulation crucial for offspring development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of domperidone administration during lactation on sow hormonal and metabolic status.
- To evaluate the impact on lactational performance and mammary gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Second parity sows were administered daily intramuscular injections of domperidone (DOMP) or canola oil (Control) throughout lactation.
- Hormonal, metabolic, and milk composition parameters were measured.
- Gene expression in mammary epithelial cells was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Domperidone increased sow prolactin and free fatty acid concentrations, while decreasing insulin levels.
- Piglets nursing domperidone-treated sows exhibited increased body weight at weaning.
- Milk composition remained unchanged, but mammary gene expression for key proteins was altered.
Conclusions:
- Domperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia during lactation influences sow endocrine and metabolic profiles.
- This hormonal manipulation positively impacts piglet growth, despite alterations in mammary gene expression.
Related Concept Videos
00:55Parental Care
12.1K
Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
12.1K
01:28Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
798
Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...
798
01:08Cloning of Dolly the Sheep
5.7K
The first successfully cloned mammal was Dolly, a sheep, born on 5th July 1996 at Roslin Institute, Scotland. The cloned sheep was named after the American singer Dolly Parton. Dolly lived for seven years and died of respiratory complications, which is speculated to be due to the actual age of her DNA. Because the DNA in cloned cells belongs to an older individual, the cloned individual’s life expectancy may be affected. Indeed, analysis of Dolly’s DNA revealed shorter...
5.7K
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
5.4K
The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
5.4K
01:27Ovarian Cycle
2.4K
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle...
2.4K