Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Mammotropic effect of prolactin enhanced by thyroidectomy

Abstract

THE role of thyroid hormones in relation to mammary gland structure and function has received sporadic attention. It has been shown in the rat that thyroid hormones are not necessary for mammary development1 and that in ovariectomised, adrenalectomised, hypophysectomised rats, prolactin and growth hormone are the principal hormones responsible for lobulo-alveolar growth2. The slight stimulatory effect of thyroid hormones on mammary growth and lactation in animals has been attributed to their general metabolic effects3,4. There are, however, a few contrary reports in the literature describing greater mammary development in rats rendered hypothyroid5,6, which have remained unexplained. The present study was undertaken to clarify the relationship between thyroid hormones and mammary growth, with special reference to prolactin. Interest in this field was primarily aroused by several clinical and epidemiological reports associating thyroid hypofunction with breast cancer7,8.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

Zixuan Zhao, Xinyi Chen, … Hanry Yu

References

  1. Chen, T. T., Johnson, R. E., Lyons, W. R., Li, C. H., and Cole, R. D., Endocrinology, 57, 153 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Talwalkar, P. K., and Meites, J., Proc. Soc. exp. Biol Med., 107, 880 (1961).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Jacobsohn, D., J. Physiol Lond., 148, 10p (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Blaxter, K. L., Vitams Horm., 10, 218 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Leonard, S. L., and Reece, R. P., Endocrinology, 28, 65 (1941).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Smithcors, J. F., Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med., 59, 197 (1945).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Repert, R. W., J. Mich. med. Soc., 51, 1315 (1952).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bogardus, G. M., and Finley, J. W., Surgery, 49, 461 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fluckiger, E., in Prolactin and Carcinogenesis (edit. by Boyns, A. R. and Griffiths, K.), 162 (Alpha Omega Alpha, Cardiff, 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ben-David, M., Dickstein, S., and Sulman, F. G., Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med., 118, 265 (1965).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Peake, G. T., Birge, C. A., and Daughaday, W. H., Endocrinology, 92, 487 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Meites, J., and Kragt, C. L., Endocrinology, 75, 565 (1964).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Grosvenor, C. E., and Turner, C. W., Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med., 100, 162 (1959).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Schmidt, J., and Moger, W. H., Endocrinology, 81, 14 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Travis, H. F., Bassett, C. F., Warner, R. G., and Reineke, E. P., Am. J. vet. Res., 27, 815 (1966).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Grant, W. C., and Cooper, G., Biol. Bull., 129, 510 (1965).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Etkin, W., Science, N.Y., 139, 810 (1963).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bern, H. A., Nicoll, C. S., and Strohman, R. C., Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med., 126, 518 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Bern, H. A., and Nicoll, C. S., in Recent Progress in Hormone Research (edit. by Astwood, E. B.), 24, 681 (Academic Press, New York and London, 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Pearson, O. H., Llerena, O., and Ilerena, L., Trans. Ass. Am. Physicians., 82, 225 (1969).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Shellaberger, C. J., Proc. Am. Ass. Cancer Res., 10, 313 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hollingsworth, D. R., and Archer, R., Am. J. Dis. Child., 125, 293 (1973).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Eskin, B. A., Trans. N.Y., Acad. Sci., 32, 911 (1970).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Daro, A. F., Gollin, H. A., and Samos, F. H., J. int. Coll. Surg., 41, 58 (1964).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MITTRA, I. Mammotropic effect of prolactin enhanced by thyroidectomy. Nature 248, 525–526 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/248525a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/248525a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing