Regulatory role of cortisone and dietary carbohydrate energy in prepubertal rat mammary gland growth and development

Role of cortisone and regulated carbohydrate energy in mammary gland growth, based on studies of morphometric and certain growth and energy related biochemical parameters has been evaluated in the adrenalectomized prepubertal female rat. Results showed improvement or restoration of mammary features like fat pad weight, area, duct system and sprouting of end and lateral buds by cortisone treatment from adrenalectomy induced suppressed state. Similarly the hormone rectified the gland nucleic acids, glycogen and rate of tissue oxidation of glucose levels, reduced under adrenalectomy. Adrenalectomy caused loss of appetite (33.5% less than normal intake). This amount of diet restriction to normal intact did not affect the gland morphology but reduced nucleic acids, protein, glycogen and glucose oxidation rate. Provision of dextrose mixed diet to the adrenalectomized rats showed variable improvements of these biochemical parameters except the gland protein level in association with increase in appetite. However, cortisone therapy under provision of dextrose supply, restored gland protein level and increased further in nucleic acids, glycogen and glucose oxidation rate. The morphological growth parameters with dextrose and cortisone also showed further improvements. Results suggested that glucocorticoid was essential mammary growth factor during prepubertal ages. The hormone appeared to operate via tissue metabolism and stimulating energy intake through appetite stimulation.