A method and pharmaceutical composition for ceasing milk production, for inducing involution, or for treating infection in a mammary gland of a lactating animal is described. The method is effected by direct administration of calcium chelators to the gland, or upon administration of enzymes which cause production of chelators in situ. The invention can be used to change the physiologic state of asingle mammary gland of a lactating animal without significantly affecting the physiologic state of other mammary glands of the same animal. Changes resulting from use of the invention may be either transient or long lasting. The invention is expected to have uses in commercial agriculture and human medicine.
A method and pharmaceutical composition for ceasing milk production, for inducing involution, or for treating infection in a mammary gland of a lactating animal is described. The method is effected by direct administration of calcium chelators to the gland, or upon administration of enzymes which cause production of chelators in situ. The invention can be used to change the physiologic state of asingle mammary gland of a lactating animal without significantly affecting the physiologic state of other mammary glands of the same animal. Changes resulting from use of the invention may be either transient or long lasting. The invention is expected to have uses in commercial agriculture and human medicine.