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Development of Immunocompetence

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...

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Early Deficient Lactation Differentially Affects Neonatal Thymic Cortical Development and Humoral Immune Responses in

María Belén Sánchez^1,2, María Cecilia Michel Lara^1,3, María José Germanó^1,4

¹Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Ciudad, Mendoza CP 5500, Argentina.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

|February 27, 2026

Summary

Maternal hypoprolactinemia (hypoPRL) impairs offspring growth and immune development by reducing milk quantity. This study reveals lasting consequences for neonatal immunity due to lactation deficiency.

Keywords:

antibodies lactation milk offspring prolactin thymus

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Area of Science:

Reproductive biology
Immunology
Developmental biology

Background:

Maternal milk is vital for neonatal nutrition and immunity.
Hypoprolactinemia (hypoPRL) impairs lactation and milk production.
The impact of hypoPRL-induced lactation deficiency on offspring immune development is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how deficient lactation due to hypoPRL affects offspring immunity and development.
To elucidate the consequences of reduced milk quantity on neonatal immune maturation.

Main Methods:

Utilized Sprague Dawley (SD) and spontaneous hypoPRL Oncins France Colony A (OFA) rat models.
Assessed serum, milk, and tissue samples on day 2 of lactation.
Evaluated pup growth, body weight, cerebral parameters, thymic development, and immune markers.

Main Results:

HypoPRL led to increased pup mortality and reduced pup body weight and weight gain.
OFA pups showed decreased cerebral weight and index, with an increased cephalization index.
Thymic development was impaired, with altered Rag 1 expression and compromised passive immune transfer (reduced immunoglobulin isotypes in pup serum).

Conclusions:

Maternal hypoPRL during early lactation adversely affects offspring growth and thymic maturation.
Lactation deficiency has lasting consequences for neonatal immune maturation and immune exposure.
This study offers a framework for investigating lactation insufficiency and its impact on neonatal immunity.