lactate

1. A salt or ester of lactic acid. 2. To produce milk in the mammary glands.

- l. dehydrogenase (LDH) name for a number of enzymes, including: l-l. dehydrogenase (cytochrome), d-l. dehydrogenase (cytochrome), l-l. dehydrogenase, and d-l. dehydrogenase. The first two enzymes transfer hydrogen to ferricytochrome c or to cytochrome b ₂, the last two enzymes transfer it to NAD⁺, in catalyzing the oxidation of l. to pyruvate; the isozyme distribution of heart and muscle l. dehydrogenase is of significant use in cases of myocardial infarction; a deficiency of a subunit will result in myoglobinuria after intense exercise. SYN: lactic acid dehydrogenase.

- excess l. the increase in l. concentration beyond what would be expected from the increase in pyruvate concentration resulting from a change in redox potential; used as an index of anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism.

- Ringer l. SYN: Ringer solution.

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lac·tate 'lak-.tāt n a salt or ester of lactic acid

lactate vi, lac·tat·ed; lac·tat·ing to secrete milk

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lac·tate (lakґtāt) 1. to secrete milk. 2. the anionic form of lactic acid; a salt of lactic acid. For specific salts, see entries under the adjectival form, e.g., for calcium lactate, see under calcium.