Therapeutic Effect of Cuirutang on Maternal Rats with Hypogalactia Induced by Bromocriptine

To study the galactagogue effect of Cuirutang (a new traditional Chinese lactogenic decoction) on rats with postpartum hypogalactia, maternal rats were fed bromocriptine to induce hypogalactia and were subsequently treated with Cuirutang. The galactagogue effects of Cuirutang were evaluated based on changes in milk production, the prolactin level and the amount of prolactin receptor in the mammary gland as well as based on mass gains in the pups and mammary glands of maternal rats. The results demonstrated that Cuirutang significantly increased milk production (p<0.01), prolactin levels (p<0.05) and mammary gland parameters (p<0.05) during puerperal hypogalactia. The mass gain of the suckling pups was also significantly increased (p<0.05). In addition, Cuirutang markedly diminished the postpartum hypogalactia and mastatrophy effects induced by bromocriptine. These results demonstrate that Cuirutang was capable of improving the lactation function of maternal rats.