Do breast milk derived hormones play a role in neonatal development?
Many hormones and several growth factors are present in significant concentrations in breast milk. That these substances are of physiologic significance has been suggested by many investigators. This review summarizes the biological roles of thyroid hormones and epidermal growth factor (EGF) derived from breast milk in a variety of developing mammals.
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Perinatal Laboratories, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Torrance 90509.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*
D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor