Neurochemical evidence for the presence of sympathetic nerve terminals in the rat mammary gland: Changes during the lactogenic cycle.

Experiments were undertaken to obtain neurochemical evidence of the presence of sympathetic nerve terminals in the rat mammary gland and the changes occurring in them during the lactogenic cycle. The norepinephrine (NE) content of the gland changed during the lactogenic cycle. Higher levels of NE were found during virginity and involution, whereas a lower level was found at 14 days of lactation. Surgical and chemical (with 6-hydroxydopamine) denervation reduced the norepinephrine content of the gland by 61 and 90%, respectively. Uptake of [(3)H]norepinephrine by the mammary gland was saturable and specifically blocked by cocaine. No changes in the maximal capacity of incorporation during the lactogenic cycle were found, but the affinity of NE for the transmembrane carrier was low during lactation, as was the NE content, suggesting a decrease in the sympathetic nerve activity during this stage of the lactogenic cycle. In support of this, we found a decrease in total NE released after stimulation with 80 mM KCI. The neurochemical evidence obtained during this research strongly suggests that rat mammary gland is innervated by sympathetic nerves and that their activity changes during the lactogenic cycle.