Influence of sex steroids and prolactin on rat mammary gland.

The effect of sex steroids and prolactin on rat mammary glands. Estradiol-17 beta alone was found to increase the protein concentration significantly. Progesterone increased LDH and G-6-PD activities whereas Estradiol and Prolactin decreased LDH activity. G-6-PD activity was increased by estradiol and prolactin. Glycogen concentration was decreased by prolactin alone. Further, these hormones increased the percentage of total 'M' subunits and decreased total 'H' subunits of LDH. In general, sex steroids and prolactin increased glycogen utilisation and prepared the Mammary Gland or anaerobic metabolism.