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Marginal zinc deficiency impairs ductal growth and alveologenesis in mammary glands leading to compromised secretory function
Author(s) -
Bostanci Zeynep,
Dempsey Colleen,
Soybel David I,
Kelleher Shan L
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.122.1
Subject(s) - lactation , myoepithelial cell , medicine , endocrinology , ductal cells , stroma , biology , mammary gland , estrogen , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , pregnancy , estrogen receptor , immunohistochemistry , nutrient , breast cancer , pancreas , ecology , genetics , cancer
Post‐pubertal mammary gland (MG) growth consists of ductal elongation and side‐branching. With pregnancy, mammary epithelial cells proliferate, invade the stroma and differentiate to form alveoli in preparation for lactation. Zinc (Zn) regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and invasion. Women are at risk for marginal Zn deficiency due to decreased intake of bioavailable Zn compounded by increased Zn needs during pregnancy and lactation. We hypothesized that marginal Zn intake impairs post‐pubertal MG expansion and compromises secretory capacity during lactation. We fed female mice (n=10/group) control (CON; 30 μg/g) or marginal (ZD, 15 μg/g) Zn diet for 22 wk. ZD mice had significantly greater MG Zn content, fewer terminal end buds (59 ± 26 vs. 29 ± 19, p<0.05) and thinner ducts (48 ± 12 vs. 36 ± 7 μm, p<0.05). MG from ZD mice had less myoepithelial lining and peri‐ductal collagen which was associated with decreased estrogen receptor α staining. We next fed mice (n=12/group) a CON or ZD diet for 30 d prior to pregnancy through lactation d10. MG from ZD mice had fewer alveoli, less myoepithelial lining and less peri‐ductal collagen. ZD mice had lower milk secretion (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 g, p<0.05) and milk Zn concentration (374 ± 35 vs. 320 ± 37 μmol/L, p<0.05). These studies show that Zn is critical for MG growth, differentiation and function and suggest that marginal Zn intake may compromise breast function in women. Grant Funding Source : Intramural support from Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Surgery, NIH RO1 HD058614 to SLK