Release of gastrin and insulin in response to suckling in lactating dogs.
The concentration of gastrin and insulin was determined in peripheral blood of 4 lactating dogs during suckling. Suckling induced an immediate rise of gastrin and insulin levels, twofold and threefold, respectively. A peak was reached at approximately 5 min after suckling was started, and basal levels were reached again within 15-20 min. The increase in gastrin and insulin levels coincided with the let-down reflex, i.e. it occurred when the puppies started to obtain milk from their mothers. Sham feeding and feeding induce a vagally mediated increase of gastrin and insulin release in dogs. We suggest that the changes in the gastrin and insulin levels observed by us in the lactating dogs, reflect a similar vagal activation induced by suckling. Possible effects of the suckling induced release of gastrin and insulin on milk ejection and secretion are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007774:Lactation; D011247:Pregnancy; D012018:Reflex; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology
D005755:Gastrins; D007328:Insulin