Quentin Sciascia

Citation

Thesis Title
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation during ruminant mammary development and function

Read article at Massey Research Online:

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway may be a rate-limiting step in the development and function of the ruminant mammary gland.  The ability to enhance mTOR signalling via amino acids may provide a novel intervention to enhance the production of milk in ruminants.  Mr. Sciascia investigated the mTOR pathways role in the development and function of the ruminant mammary gland in response to nutrients and exogenous hormones, and the potential role of amino acids in stimulating mTOR pathway activation.  Increased lactation performance was associated with mTOR pathway activation in the developing and lactating gland.  In the lactating gland improved performance was associated with significantly decreased plasma and mammary gland intracellular L-arginine concentrations.  Supplementation with L-arginine did not increase mTOR pathway activation or lactation performance but did improved mammary gland health.

Supervisors
Professor Hugh Blair
Dr David Pacheco
Dr Monica Senna Salerno
Dr Susan McCoard