Role of vagal nerve activity during suckling. Effects on plasma levels of oxytocin, prolactin, VIP, somatostatin, insulin, glucagon, glucose and of milk secretion in lactating rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of vagal nerve activity for the release of oxytocin, prolactin and gastrointestinal (GI) hormones during suckling as well as for the secretion of milk in lactating rats. We have therefore performed experiments on vagotomized lactating rats. The animals were decapitated and trunk blood was collected from nonsuckling rats and from suckling rats in connection with milk ejection. Oxytocin, prolactin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), somatostatin, insulin, glucagon and glucose levels in plasma were measured by RIA-technique. In addition, maternal weight as well as the weight of the litters were recorded 7 d after vagotomy. As expected, oxytocin and prolactin levels rose in response to suckling in sham-operated controls. In vagotomized animals the suckling-induced increase of oxytocin was blocked and prolactin levels were significantly decreased. VIP levels in plasma increased following suckling in sham-operated animals and failed to respond after vagotomy. In contrast, somatostatin levels that rose significantly in sham-operated rats were even more significantly raised in vagotomized animals. In addition, insulin but not glucagon levels were increased by suckling. The insulin response, however, persisted after vagotomy. Interestingly, suckling was followed by a lowering of blood-glucose levels in vagotomized, but not in sham-operated animals. The vagotomized rats ate as much and increased in weight as sham-operated rats during the 7 d of vagotomy. The litters of vagotomized rats, however, gained significantly less weight in comparison with control litters. In conclusion, this study shows that vagal nerve activity is of importance for the release of oxytocin, prolactin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and somatostatin during suckling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)