Lack of the suckling-induced prolactin release in homozygous Barattleboro rats: the vasopressin-neurophysin-glycopeptide precursor may play a role in prolactin release

Suckling stimulus did not induce significant release of prolactin (PRL) in lactating homozygous Brattleboro rats, whereas it did it in heterozygous animals. Daily treatment of homozygous rats with vasopressin partly restored the PRL response to suckling. Findings suggest that vasopressin-neurophysin-glycopeptide precursor missing in homozygous Brattleboro rats may play a role in suckling-induced PRL release.