Rat Mammary Gland Differentiation in vitro in the Absence of Steroids

Abstract

Mammary glands from several strains of immature female rats will form small lobules of alveoli when cultured in chemically defined media lacking steroid hormones but containing insulin and prolactin. The degree of lobulo-alveolar differentiation is increased if estradiol, progesterone, and aldosterone are also included in the culture media.