Mammary blood flow and cardiac output during initiated involution of the mammary gland in the rabbit.

1. Cardiac output and its distribution to the mammary gland, kidneys, heart, liver and gastrointestinal tract were measured in conscious rabbits at day 1, day 3 and day 6 after removal of the young at day 0. 2. There was no change in cardiac output, proportion of cardiac output delivered to the mammary gland or mammary blood flow 24 hr after the last suckling period. After a further 48 hr there was a significant reduction in the cardiac output, proportion of the cardiac output and blood flow to the mammary gland compared to the values measured in lactating animals. 3. There was no significant difference in blood flow to the other organs although there were changes in the proportion of the cardiac output delivered to the heart, kidney and liver during this period. 4. The change in uptake of glucose, acetate, non-esterified fatty acids and triacylglycerols by the mammary gland are discussed in relation to the reabsorption of milk components.