Gene prolactine receptor (PRLR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) on milk production

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the differences in the expression of genes PRLR and STAT5, body mass index, and the volume of milk in nursing mothers. Method: This study uses the approach of observational studies that were carried out from April to December 2019 in Makassar, Indonesia. Subjects consisted of 80 third trimester pregnant women (32–36 weeks) selected based on specific criteria. The mother will be followed up until the baby is six months old. The technique of analyzing differences in the expression of PRLR and STAT5 genes uses qPCR with sub-classification of optimal and sub-optimal milk volume groups. Result: There is a different gene expression PRLR (<0.001) between the two groups, but not with the expression of STAT5 (0078). The more volume of milk shows an increase in genetic expression, although STAT5 is not statistically significant, the average volume of milk tends to increase with the level of expression (>median). Based on simultaneous tests, there is a strong interaction between body mass index with PRLR gene expression (<0.003), and STAT5 (<0.023), mothers who have healthy body mass index tend to have more volume of breastmilk. Conclusion: This study provides an understanding that the nutritional factor is a biological underlying that supports the process of transcription and translation of milk-coding genes in order to work optimally. Thus, it is essential to intervene with excess weight pregnant women with the right antenatal care midwifery approach.