Functional Variation in the Prolactin Receptor of Pigs

Abstract Text: Prolactin is critical for a variety of biological processes, including mammary development and lactation. The actions of prolactin are mediated by several forms of the transmembrane prolactin receptor. Given the importance of milk production for piglet growth and wellbeing, we have focused  on the genomics of porcine prolactin receptor expression and function. The prolactin receptor in this species exists as both long and short forms that exist as several variants. A range of endogenous and local factors  regulates expression of these receptors across a variety of tissues including in the mammary glands. At the same time, emerging evidence also indicates that receptor expression is coordinately regulated at the tissue, metabolic and genomic levels.  Taken together, these data point to prolactin receptor expression and function as a key element in the modulation of prolactin action in support of mammary growth and lactation.

Keywords: Prolactin, receptor, mammary gland, lactation