BACKGROUND Convincing evidence exist that carnitine synthesis and uptake of carnitine into cells is regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARA), a transcription factor which is physiologically activated during fasting or energy deprivation. Sows are typically in a negative energy balance during peak lactation. We investigated the hypothesis that genes involved in carnitine...

Intravenous infusions of glucose and/or glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)-amide (GLP) or somatostatin-28 (S28) were administered to dry and lactating sheep and changes in plasma glucose and serum insulin were followed before, during and after infusion. Basal serum insulin concentrations were significantly lower in lactating sheep but there was no significant difference in plasma glucose concentrati...

A survey was conducted in Southwestern, Punjab, Pakistan during two different seasons to assess the status of selenium of three different classes of grazing sheep. Blood plasma from lactating, non-lactating and male sheep were collected four times monthly in winter and summer seasons and analyzed for selenium concentration. Seasonal variations were found for plasma selenium concentration. Selen...

The neonatal period in humans and in most mammals is characterized by intense mother-young interactions favoring pair bonding and the adaptation of neonates to their new environment. However, in many post-delivery procedures, human babies commonly experience combined maternal separation and intense handling for about one hour post-birth. Currently, the effects of such disturbances on later atta...

The histological study was carried out on mammary glands collected from 14 Madras red sheep, 7 in lactating period 7 in non-lactation period. The connective tissue became reduced and lobuloalveolar tissue was predominantly increased during lactating period. The alveoli were laminated, filled with secretion and lined by cuboidal active secretory cells containing lipid droplets and protein granul...

In a clinical trial, the incidence of cytomegalovirus reactivation in breastfeeding mothers and transmission to their preterm infants were studied. Breast milk from 73 mothers as well as urine and tracheal and pharyngeal aspirates from their 89 infants were screened weekly for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA during the first 2 months after delivery. Of the 73 mothers, 48 (66%) were positive fo...

Lactation embodies a natural model of morphological, neurochemical, and functional brain plasticity. In this reproductive stage, the hippocampus of the female is less sensitive to excitotoxins in contrast to nulliparity. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) are known to be neuroprotective in several experimental models of brain lesion. Here, activation of the GH-IGF1 pitu...

Transporter-mediated processes in the lactating mammary gland may explain the significant accumulation of certain drugs in breast milk. The purpose of this study was to identify potential candidate drug transport proteins involved in drug accumulation in milk. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction methods were developed to determine the relative RNA levels of 30 different...