Abstract
Pregnancy is a metabolically demanding state with many adaptations in maternal physiology required for optimal outcomes. Marked increases in the hormone prolactin (and placental lactogen) are characteristic of this state. Prolactin receptors (Prlr) are found throughout the body, including the small intestine (SI), where nutrients are absorbed.
During pregnancy, mice increase their absorptive capacity for nutrients through morphological changes in the small intestine (SI), such as increased length of villi and length of SI, that results in increased total surface area. Combined with the hyperphagia of pregnancy/lactation, this means more energy consumed is absorbed. Based on this, we hypothesised that during pregnancy, Prlr contributes to pregnancy-induced adaptations in the SI and that failure of these adaptations leads to alterations in feeding behaviours.