title: Effects of the sucking stimulus on relaxin receptor (LGR7) expression in the mammary apparatus of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).
abstract: Macropodid marsupials suckle young of different ages simultaneously, a phenomenon known as asynchronous lactation. The growth of the mammary glands supporting young of different ages varies considerably. This study investigates relaxin receptor (LGR7) expression in different mammary glands and nipples during early lactation in the wallaby. LGR7s were upregulated in the nipple and mammary gland supporting the neonate 5-11 d postpartum. LGR7 mRNA concentrations were also significantly higher in the gland supporting the newborn young than the older young. These data suggest that a local stimulus, that is, continuous sucking by the neonate, may influence LGR7 expression in the mammary apparatus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Janey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gwyther
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Gehring
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Parry
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D007614:Macropodidae / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009558:Nipples / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics*; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled