Influence of hydrocortisone acetate administered to the lactating rat on lipid composition of the milk and serum lipid levels in dams and pups

Summary The influence of i. m. administration of hydrocortisone acetate to the mother (doses of 0.4, 0.8 or 2 mg/100 g body weight/day) during the first 15 days of lactation on milk composition in fatty acids mother and pups serum levels of lipids and their effect on pups' growth is studied. Serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in mothers increase at any of the experimental doses. Daily injections of 2 mg/100 g bw to the mother cause an increase in the percentage of C16 as well as in the level of fatty acids derived from linoleic and linolenic acids while reducing the percentage of C18:1. The treatment brings about a higher level in total lipids in the milk which is proportional to the dose. Doses of 0.4 and 0.8 mg increase the percentage of C8 and C10, while the dose of 2 mg enhances the % of C16. A fall in the uptake of linoleic acid by the mammary gland is observed when using any of the experimental doses. No change is observed either in the weight of pups or in serum cholesterol levels while triglyceride level is increased by the effect of treatment. The higher dose increases the level of linolenic acid and some of its derivates.