Pregnancy and Lactation Affect the Microvasculature of the Mammary Gland in Mice.

DOI Web Site Web Site PubMed 8 Citations

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 妊娠および泌乳期のマウス乳腺における毛細血管の微細構造
  • 妊娠および泌乳期のマウス乳腺における毛細血管の微細構造〔英文〕
  • ニンシン オヨビ ヒニュウキ ノ マウス ニュウセン ニ オケル モウサイ ケ

Search this article

Abstract

Microvascular changes in the mammary gland in mice during pregnancy and lactation were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a corrosion cast method, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and morphometry. By SEM, duct-associated capillary plexuses were sparsely distributed to branch into adipocytes during virgin period. With advance in pregnancy, both branches from the capillary plexuses and branches from the vessels surrounding adipocytes extended further to form capillary networks. The basket-like architecture was completed by day 18 of pregnancy. These findings may indicate that angiogenesis occurs frequently during this period. During lactation, the basket-like architecture still remained and the capillaries surrounding alveoli meandered. After weaning, the regression of microvasculature followed the degeneration of alveoli. By TEM and morphometry, the density of binocytotic vesicles (PVs) (number of PVs per μm2 of endothelium cytoplasm) increased twofold from day 18 of pregnancy to day 5 of lactation, furthermore increased threefold from days 10 to 20 of lactation, and subsequently decreased after weaning. Marginal folds and microvillous processes gradually increased in length with advance in pregnancy, reached the maximum from days 5 to 15 of lactation, and thereafter decreased. In addition, the capillaries with thinner walls were in close contact with alveoli during the late stage of pregnancy and during lactation. Furthermore, the alveolar epithelial cells had well-developed basal infoldings during lactation. These findings suggest that the capillaries play an important role in transporting materials necessary for milk production.

Journal

Citations (8)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top