Abstract
We previously demonstrated galactagogue effect of fenugreek in a rat model of lactation challenge, foreshadowing its use in women’s breastfeeding management. To assess longitudinal molecular mechanisms involved in milk synthesis/secretion in dams submitted to fenugreek supplementation, inguinal mammary, pituitary glands and plasma were isolated in forty-three rats nursing large 12 pups-litters and assigned to either a control (CTL) or a fenugreek-supplemented (FEN) diet during lactation. RT-PCR were performed at days 12 and 18 of lactation (L12 and L18) and the first day of involution (Inv1) to measure the relative expression of genes related to both milk synthesis and its regulation in the mammary gland and lactogenic hormones in the pituitary gland. Plasma hormone concentrations were measured by ELISA. FEN diet induced 2- to 3-times higher fold change in relative expression of several genes related to macronutrient synthesis (Fasn, Acaca, Fabp3, B4galt1, Lalba and Csn2) and energy metabolism (Cpt1a, Acads) and in IGF-1 receptor in mammary gland, mainly at L12. Pituitary oxytocin expression and plasma insulin concentration (+77.1%) were also significantly increased. Altogether, these findings suggest fenugreek might extend duration of peak milk synthesis through modulation of the insulin/GH/IGF-1 axis and increase milk ejection by activation of oxytocin secretion.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to 6 months of age, based on evidence of its clear health benefits on mother–infant dyad [1,2,3]
They further demonstrate that the impact of dietary fenugreek supplementation on milk production is associated with a stimulation of milk macronutrient synthesis and mammary fuel metabolism
Our findings suggest that the effect of fenugreek on milk production at mid-lactation may be mediated by a stimulation of insulin secretion and a modulation of the insulin/growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis, while its action on maintaining lactation until the first day of mammary involution could be due to its estrogenic effect
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to 6 months of age, based on evidence of its clear health benefits on mother–infant dyad [1,2,3]. 6 months after delivery, less than 40% of mothers are still breastfeeding in several high-income countries of. The early cessation of breastfeeding is multifactorial [5], the perception that their milk secretion is insufficient to support adequate infant growth is reported by about 35% of lactating women [6,7]. Though perceived milk insufficiency due to psychological. Genes 2020, 11, 1208 issues likely is more frequent than true insufficient milk secretion [5,8], the latter can result from many causes, ranging from true physiologic inability to lactate (5% of the cases) to suboptimal breastfeeding management [8,9]. It is well established that mothers’ milk production can often be increased through psychological support or maternal breastfeeding counseling [5,9]. More and more healthy mothers try to enhance their milk supply by taking various nutritional supplements [10] presumed to have a galactagogue effect
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