Prolactin binding to mammary gland, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene-induced mammary tumors, and liver in rats.

ABSTRACT

Specific binding of radioactively labeled prolactin was determined in membrane preparations from mammary glands and livers of rats during pregnancy and lactation. Prolactin binding to mammary gland increased throughout late pregnancy and early lactation, reached a maximum on Day 11 of lactation, and then declined. Maximum prolactin binding to liver membrane preparations was observed during late pregnancy and declined throughout lactation. Estradiol benzoate (20 mug/day), administered on Days 5 to 10 of lactation, reduced prolactin binding to mammary gland by 55%, increased binding to liver 2-fold, and reduced litter weight gain by 25%. Prolactin binding to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors was 3 times higher than that observed in lactating mammary gland. Administration of prolactin enhanced tumor growth but decreased specific prolactin binding to tumors. Lergotrile mesylate inhibited and estradiol benzoate (2 mug/day) enhanced tumor growth, but neither treatment affected prolactin binding to tumor membrane preparations. In contrast, higher doses of estradiol benzoate (20 mug/day) inhibited tumor growth and reduced prolactin binding. Prolactin binding varied widely within all groups of mammary tumors and was not clearly related to growth response or to altered circulating estrogen and/or prolactin levels. Hormone dependence in this animal tumor model is complex and may not be predicted on the basis of prolactin-binding capacity alone.

ABSTRACT

PIP Experiments designed to study the changes in prolactin (PRL) binding to rat mammary tissue and liver during pregnancy and lactation, to study the relationship between PRL binding and growth in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors and to measure PRL binding in DMBA tumors, lactating mammary gland and liver following administration of pharmacological doses of estrogen are described. Specific binding of radioactive PRL binding to mammary gland increased throughout late pregnancy and early lactation, reached a maximum on Day 11 of lactation and then declined. Maximum binding to liver membrane preparations was observed during late pregnancy and declined throughout lactation. The administration of 20 mcg estradiol benzoate (EB/day on Days 5-10 of lactation, reduced PRL binding to mammary gland by 55%, increased binding to liver 2-fold and reduced litter weight gain by 25%. PRL binding to DMBA-induced mammary tumor was 3 times higher than that observed in lactating mammary gland. PRL administration enhanced tumor growth but decresed specific PRL binding to tumors. Lergotrile mesylate inhibited and 2 mcg EB enhanced tumor growth, but neither treatment affected PRL binding to tumor membrane preparations. However, 20 mcg EB inhibited tumor growth and reduced PRL binding. PRL binding varied widely within all groups of mammary tumors and was not clearly related to growth response or to altered circulating estrogen and/or PRL levels. It is concluded that hormone dependence in the rat tumor model is complex and may not be predicted on the basis of PRL-binding capacity alone.