Transcriptome of heat-stressed lactating mice in hypothalamus, pituitary and mammary gland

Purpose: Using RNA-seq, this study explored the possible cross-talk between the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and mammary system under heat stress and to understand the biological process using a mice model, which may contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of poor lactation performance under exposure to high ambient temperatures. Overall design: Animals: timed-pregnancy ICR mice, control group (25 °C, 55% ±5% RH) and heat stress group (36 °C, 55% ±5% RH). Temperature: controlled by an artificial climate incubator to expose the cages housing the mice to the experimental temperature (36 °C) and relative humidity (RH: 55% ±5%). Animals were sacrificed immediately after treatment on day 13 for the purpose to study the peak lactation responses to heat stress. The hypothalamus, pituitary and left inguinal (#4) mammary gland of all dams were collected.