Compensatory nutrition-directed mammary cell proliferation and lactation in rats

The proper use of a time-dependent and controlled nutrition regimen during the hormone-sensitive growth phase before first parturition can significantly affect mammary growth and subsequent lactation performance. The objective of the present study was to determine if a compensatory nutrition regimen improves lactation performance by affecting proliferation and apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells. Forty female rats (7 weeks of age, average weight 148 g) were assigned to either (1) control, free access to diet or (2) stair-step compensatory nutrition regimen, an alternating 3–4-week schedule beginning with an energy-restricted diet (31·2% restriction) for 3 weeks, followed by the control diet for 4 weeks. Estimated milk yield was greater (P