Transepithelial potential difference in the goat mammary gland and its change during hand milking, and administration of oxytocin and catecholamines.

Abstract

The reaction of secretory epithelium and myoepithelial cells in the alveoli to hand milking and i.v. injection of oxytocin and catecholamines was studied in lactating goats. The reaction of secretory cells was assessed by changes in the transepithelial (blood-milk) potential difference (PD), and the contractile reaction of myoepithelial cells by the growth of intramammary pressure (IP). The initial value of PD was 24.6 +/- 0.6 mV, that of IP 3.32 +/- 0.08 kPa (24.9 +/- 0.6 mmHg). Milking and oxytocin administration caused a rise in PD and an increase in IP. After noradrenaline and adrenaline injections two-phase PD changes and a short-term rise in IP were recorded. Isoproterenol, a beta-agonist, caused a rise in PD but did not affect IP. Phenylephrine, an alpha-agonist, caused two-phase and one-phase changes in PD. Simultaneously, a rise in IP was recorded. The results show that the reaction of the mammary gland to the substances administered is complex. Myoepithelial and secretory cells respond differently to short-term rises in the level of mediators and hormones in the blood.