Mammary gland growth and serum levels of prolactin and growth hormone in four strains of male mice in comparison with females.
Male mammary gland growth in 4 strains of mice (SHN/Mei, SLN/Mei, GR/AMei and C3H/HeMei) was studied and compared to that in females of the same strains. The area of the mammary glands in female mice was greater in SHN and SLN, as compared to GR/A and C3H/He strains on both 20 and 60 days of age. A similar trend was seen in mammary gland growth in males on day 20. However, on day 60, there was a marked growth in SLN and GR/A strains, slight growth in SHN mice and no glands were found in C3H/He males. These patterns of mammary gland growth were not related to circulating levels of prolactin or growth hormone (GH) or to body growth in either sex. These findings provide the first description of these characteristic patterns of mammary gland growth in male mice.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000254:growth & development*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone