[Effect of thyrotropic hormone on the iron content and iron-binding capacity in the milk of rabbits]

The authors administered thyreotropic hormone in a dose of 2 international units/kg of body weight on lactating rabbits intramuscularly. Concentrations of iron and iron-binding capacity in milk were examined at different days (from 7 to 21 days after delivery) of the lactation period of the animals. The obtained results suggested an inhibiting effect of thyreotropin on the content of iron and iron-binding capacity in milk after the first day of treatment. Later there was a gradual recovery of values almost to the initial values of the control day, which indicated transitory and comparatively quickly disappearing hormonal effect. The presumed mechanisms for this effect of thyreotropic hormone were discussed.