β -Glucan and Pectin Derivatives Stimulate Prolactin Secretion from Hypophysis In Vitro

Abstract

Previous work has shown that various plant extracts administered to animals stimulate milk protein synthesis through the secretion of prolactin. It has also been shown that β-glucan and pectin are the active molecules capable of stimulating prolactin release in vivo after intravenous injections. In this work, it is shown that β-glucan and several pectin derivatives are able to stimulate prolactin secretion from hypophysis fragments incubated for 2 hr in a synthetic medium.