Effects of parturition, suckling and pseudopregnancy on variables of disease activity in the B/W mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The pituitary hormone, prolactin, accelerates systemic lupus erythematosus in NZB/NZW F1 (B/W) mice. Our study evaluated disease activity in B/W females experiencing the physiologic hyperprolactinemia of mating, pregnancy, suckling, and pseudopregnancy.

METHODS:

Nonsuckling postpartum, suckling and pseudopregnant mice were compared to virgin females. Serum prolactin, anti-DNA antibodies (anti-DNA), gp70-anti-gp70 immune complexes, IgM, IgG, albuminuria, and renal function were monitored serially.

RESULTS:

Females that whelped 2 litters had apparent stimulation of anti-DNA; those that suckled their young had similar premature appearance of anti-DNA as well as delayed, but marked, hypergammaglobulinemia. Pseudopregnant mice, which characteristically secrete repeated surges of prolactin, had significant acceleration of multiple variables of disease activity.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pregnancy, parturition and suckling did not immediately accelerate lupus in B/W dams, and longevity was not affected in females that had borne litters. Pseudopregnancy was the most effective stimulator of variables of autoimmunity.

• Authors: R W McMurray, D Keisler, S Izui, S E Walker
• Journal: The Journal of rheumatology (J Rheumatol) Vol. 20 Issue 7 Pg. 1143-51 (Jul 1993) ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada
• PMID: 8371207 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Antinuclear
• Antigen-Antibody Complex
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M
• Prolactin

Topics

• Albuminuria (physiopathology)
• Animals
• Animals, Suckling (physiology)
• Antibodies, Antinuclear (analysis)
• Antigen-Antibody Complex (analysis)
• Autoimmunity
• Blood Urea Nitrogen
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Hypergammaglobulinemia (blood, physiopathology)
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Immunoglobulin M (analysis)
• Kidney (physiology)
• Labor, Obstetric (physiology)
• Longevity
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (immunology, physiopathology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred NZB
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Pregnancy
• Prolactin (blood, physiology)
• Pseudopregnancy (physiopathology)
• Severity of Illness Index