Effects of lactation on L-leucine metabolism in the rat. Studies in vivo and in vitro.

1. The turnover rate of L-[1-14C]leucine was increased by 35% in lactating rats compared with virgin rats. Starvation or removal of pups (24 h) returned the value to that of the virgin rat. 2. Incorporation of L-[U-14C]leucine into lipid and protein of mammary glands of lactating rats in vivo increased 7-fold and 6-fold respectively compared with glands of virgin rats. Lactation caused no change in the incorporation of L-[U-14C]leucine into hepatic lipid and protein. 3. The production of 14CO2 from L[l-14C]leucine (in the presence of glucose) was similar in isolated acini from glands of fed (chow) and starved lactating rats. Feeding with a 'cafeteria' diet caused a slight decrease, and removal of pups a large decrease, in the oxidative decarboxylation of leucine. 4. Oxidation of L-[2-14C]leucine to 14CO2 was increased about 3-fold in acini from starved lactating rats or lactating rats fed on a 'cafeteria' diet compared with rats fed on a chow diet. Insulin decreased the formation of 14CO2 in all three situations. 5. Incorporation of L-[U-14C]- and [2-14C]-leucine into lipid was decreased in acini from starved lactating rats and lactating rats fed on a 'cafeteria' diet. Insulin tended to increase the conversion of [2-14C]leucine into lipid, but this was significant only in the case of the acini from 'cafeteria'-fed rats. 6. Experiments with (-)-hydroxycitrate indicate that the major route for conversion of leucine carbon into lipid in acini is via citrate translocation from the mitochondria. 7. The physiological implications of these findings are discussed.