Factors affecting the production of lactose by ovine mammary cells
in vitro
S.R. Davis, S.J. Eichler, M.R. Callaghan, R.C.J. Grieve, C.G. Prosser
Dairying Research Corporation, Ruakura Agricultural Centre, Private
Bag, Hamilton, New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1993,
53: 147-150
A method was developed to isolate mammary cell clumps (acini), from
lactating sheep and maintain these in culture for more than 48 h. Performance
of these cells was assessed by the measurement of lactose secreted into media
using a sensitive bioluminescence assay. Lactose production was dependent
upon cell density at seeding, lactose output per cell being 5-6 fold higher (6-7
fmol/cell/h) at 0.25x10 6 cells per ml medium compared to 2.5x10 6 cells per
ml medium over 24 h of culture. Lactose output declined with time in culture,
irrespective of cell density, falling to <1 fmol/cell/h over the period 24-48 h.
2-deoxy glucose uptake by mammary cells tended to increase with time in
culture. 2-deoxy glucose uptake was significantly higher in cells from starved
sheep (p<0.05) and in cells cultured in medium containing foetal calf serum,
insulin, hydrocortisone, prolactin and prostaglandin E2 (p<0.001).
Lactose output of acini was not affected by starvation of the ewe for 18 h
before removing mammary tissue, and increased slightly (11%) at low cell
density in response to the additions of hormones and/or foetal calf serum to
culture medium (p<0.05).
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Lactose; lactation; sheep; cell culture; hormones. END:
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
