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MICROPHTHALMIA, PROLACTIN AND FERTILITY IN RATS

Summary.: Female rats from the strain with severe bilateral microphthalmia have histories of very low fertility. The fact that the rats of this strain have a number of sub-optimal reproductive characteristics, which are distinct from their lactation performance, is not believed to be of primary significance in their poor reproductive capacity.

Lack of adequate milk production by recently delivered microphthalmic females is the most common defect resulting in the death of young born alive. Over a period of 3 years, the strain had a record of only 30% of litters raised to weaning age.

Supplements of daily injections of LtH commencing on Day 18 of pregnancy, and continuing for the first 10 days of nursing caused a spectacular increase in the number of litters raised to weaning.