D. - Hormones and Growth Factors in Human Milk

Abstract

This chapter elaborates about hormones and growth factors in human milk. The presence of hormones and hormone-related substances in milk was described more than 50 years ago. Because milk is heterogenous, different substances can interfere with various determinations, thus, many results are affected, especially quantitatively. The estimated content of the thyroid and steroid hormones in milk strongly depends on the method used. Their concentration in human colostrum and milk was overestimated in the pioneer investigations, which used less specific methods than those available later. Data are summarized in two tables: “Nonpeptide Hormones in Human Milk,” and “Hormonally Active Peptides in Human Milk.” Quoted reviews discuss important aspects of hormones in milk, specifically their presence in various species; factors influencing their presence and concentration in milk and various preparations from bovine milk, especially infant nutrition formula; the absorption of milk-borne hormones from the immature gastrointestinal tract; and their effect after orogastric administration on the gastrointestinal tract and beyond in developing mammals.