Variable duration of DNA synthesis in mammary gland cells during pregnancy and lactation of C3H/He mouse.

Abstract

AbstractLabeling index as well as the duration of DNA synthesis in alveolar cells of C3H mouse mammary gland at various stages of development was determined by autoradiographic methods. Labeling index of the alveolar cells is highest during pregnancy followed by a marked decrease in the lactating gland. The labeling index of the prelactating cells is significantly reduced after the same cells are transplanted into virgin females. Duration of DNA synthesis in the alveolar cells at eighth and fifteenth day of pregnancy is 14.1 and 8.2 hours respectively. During early lactogenesis, duration of DNA synthesis in the mammary alveolar cells was estimated as 8.5 hours. There is a 2–3 fold increase of the DNA replication time (21.5 hours) in the outgrowth cells of 15 day prelactating tissue after transplantation into virgin host.A possible role of the hormones of pregnancy, estrogens and progesterone for stimulation of DNA synthesis in the prelactating tissue has been discussed. It has been suggested that the marked inhibition of DNA synthesis in the lactating tissue may be due to the increased stimulation of the same tissue by endogenous adrenocorticoid hormones. Variability of the duration of DNA synthesis (8.5–21.5 hours) in alveolar cells indicates that in mouse mammary gland, DNA synthetic time is not an unadjustable process. Control of DNA synthesis in mouse mammary gland cells by exogenous 17‐β‐estradiol and progesterone has been previously reported (Bresciani, '65). It is suggested that the same hormones of endogenous origin also may influence the duration of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation during mammogenesis.