Variations in the activity of several enzymes in the mammary glands of non-pregnant, pregnant and lactating rabbits

1. The enzymes phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44), phosphoglucomutase (EC 2.7.5.1), ATP–citrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.8), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2) and acetyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.1) were assayed in rabbit mammary glands at various stages of the pregnancy–lactation cycle. 2. The activities of all enzymes were low during pregnancy and, with the exception of phosphofructokinase, in non-pregnant animals. Two- to ten-fold increases in enzyme activities occurred over the first 20 days of lactation. Although milk yield was considerably decreased, the enzyme activities remained elevated in late lactation (45 days after parturition). 3. These findings are discussed in relation to mammary-gland metabolism and compared with similar observations previously made on ruminants and other small mammals.