THE RESPONSE OF RABBIT MAMMARY GLANDS TO LOCALLY ADMINISTERED PROLACTIN

Abstract

SUMMARY The response of rabbit mammary glands to intraductally-injected prolactin preparations has been investigated with a view to developing an assay procedure for prolactin, based on milk formation in mammals. Milk was clearly detectable in the glands by the 3rd day after injection of prolactin, and there was evidence of an increase in response with increased dose, but the variability so far encountered has been high. Intraductal injection of pituitary extracts rich in activities other than that of prolactin did not lead to milk formation.