Effects of dietary essential fatty acids on murine mammary gland development.

Removal of unsaturated fatty acids from the diet of female C3H mice resulted in the gradual onset of essential fatty acid deficiency. Upon reaching the deficient state, alveolar components of the mammary gland began to regress as did the ovarian corpora lutea. An increase in the viscosity of microsomal membranes and a decrease in the number of prolactin binding sites also occurred concomitantly as the deficient state increased in severity. Modification of fats with the diet changes the fluidity of cellular membranes. This appears to alter the functionality of the membrane-associated receptors and their subsequent ability to respond to circulating hormones.