Abstract
It has been found that human milk contains several growth modulators. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a small polypeptide growth promoting factor for various cells. It is reported that human(h) EGF exists in human milk and it is considered' to be one of the most important growth modulators in human milk. We measured hEGF levels of human milk, cow's milk and several formulas by newly developed sensitive RIA method (offered by Prof.N.Yanaihara, Shizuoka College of Pharmacy, Shizuoka, Japan). Human and cow's colostrums, transient milks and mature milks were obtained from healthy subjects, and they were centrifuged at 100,000 G and supernatant fluids were provided for assay.
Results (1) hEGF in human colostrum, transient milk and mature milk were 196.7 ng/ml, 71.7, 39.5, respectively. (2) hEGF levels of cow's and formula milks were lower than minimal detectable dose of our method exept one formula for premature baby containing about 1/250 as much as that of mature milk.
Conclusions It seemed that hEGF in human milk directly acts on gastrointestinal mucosa and promotes its growth and maturation. The finding that hEGF level is the highest in colostrum suggests that hEGF is needed physiologically especially at early neonatal period.
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Oguchi, S., Yamashiro, Y., Shimizu, T. et al. 89. HUMAN EGF LEVELS OF HUMAN MILK, COW'S AND FORMULA MILKS. Pediatr Res 22, 111 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198707000-00110
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198707000-00110