DIFFERENCES IN ALIMENTARY HORMONE RESPONSES BETWEEN BREAST AND BOTTLE-FED INFANTS: 87

Abstract

Comparative aspects of breast and bottle (formula) feeding have received considerable attention, yet there is little information on gastrointestinal differences between infants fed in these two ways. We compared plasma levels of 10 alimentary hormones in 33 6-day old normal term infants who were breast fed, with 39 such infants fed on a modified cow's milk formula (Cow and Gate Premium). Each infant contributed with ethical approval only one plasma sample taken at the time of a routine blood test. These samples were taken either basally or at 25, 60 or 120 min. after a feed. Formula-fed infants have significantly higher basal levels of motilin (p < 0.05), neurotensin (p < 0.05), vaso-active intestinal peptide (p < 0.02) and gastric inhibitory peptide (p < 0.02), and had larger insulin (p < 0.05) and neuro tensin (p < 0.01) responses to feeding. The formula-fed infants showed postprandial elevations of entero-glucagon (p < 0.02) and pancreatic polypeptide (p < 0.02) and depression of motilin (p < 0.02) while none of these three responses were seen in breast-fed infants. Plasma concentrations of glucagon, gastrin and secretin were, however, identical in the two groups. These differences may reflect feed composition, or lower total milk intake in breast-fed infants prior to the study (feed volumes were, however, similar during the study itself). A strong relationship between dietary experience and hormone release has been demonstrated.