Endocrine Abstracts

The evolution of aquatic vertebrates to dry land required adaptation of physiological systems concerned with water and mineral ion homeostasis. Two factors, calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH), have ultimately become the principal hypo- and hyper-calcaemic factors respectively, in terrestrial vertebrates. Fish CT has been isolated and shown to be hypocalcaemic in mammals; its role in fish physiology is less well defined, although it may control calcium influx via the...

Introduction: Mice in which the prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene is knocked out have reduced adipose tissue in later life. Abundance of the PRLR is greatest in adipose tissue at birth and is reduced following placental restriction. The present study investigated the impact of maternal nutrient restriction over the final two months of gestation on PRLR abundance in developing lambs.Methods: Eighteen multiparous twin bearing ewes were entered into the study,...