Maternal Adipocyte Connexin43 Gap Junctions Affect Breastmilk Lactose Levels and Neonate Growth in Mice.

ABSTRACT: Breastfeeding offers a broad spectrum of health benefits for infants. However, overnutrition and a steady increase in maternal obesity in the U.S. have made it harder for many mothers to produce and express breastmilk, and the quality of milk from obese mothers is also frequently compromised. Adipocytes, the primary cell type in the non-lactating breast, display a drastic morphological and functional change during lactation in mice. Lipid-filled adipocytes undergo lipolysis, and lipid droplets disappear to provide fatty acids and energy for breastmilk production. Once the animal stops lactation, these lipid-depleted adipocytes return as lipid-laden cells. This dynamic remodeling of the tissue is likely the result of active intercellular communications. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most abundan

SUBMITTER: Huang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9311998 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature