Endocrine response to acute cold exposure by lactating and non-lactating norway rats

Lori E. Adels, Michael Leon, Sandra G. Wiener, M. Susan Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Plasma levels of corticosterone, prolactin and thyroxine (T4) were measured in lactating and non-lactating Norway rats at 22°C and 4°C. Acute cold exposure increased corticosterone secretion in all groups, although non-lactating female levels rose higher than those of mother rats. While prolactin levels are unaffected by acute cold exposure in non-lactating females, mothers with their litters had lower prolactin levels in the cold. T4 levels increased during cold exposure in lactating females, suggesting that the low T4 levels observed during lactation may not be due to lactational competition for available iodine.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)179-181
Number of pages3
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1986
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Corticosterone
  • Lactation
  • Mother-young interactions
  • Prolactin
  • Thermoregulation
  • Thyroxine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Endocrine response to acute cold exposure by lactating and non-lactating norway rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this