title: Mitogenic activity and epidermal growth factor content in human milk.
abstract: The concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) was determined by radioimmunoassay in colostral and mature human milk. The content of EGF in colostral milk was 25-38 ng/ml compared to 5.2-11.5 ng/ml in samples of mature milk. The radioimmunoassayable EGF content in mature milk was not influenced by pasteurization and EGF was detected in a preparation of human milk protein at a concentration similar to that found in mature milk. The growth promoting activity in human milk measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation in human fibroblasts was higher in colostral milk (stimulated incorporation 8.7 fold) than in mature milk (stimulated incorporation about 7-fold).
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003126:Colostrum / Q000032:analysis; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000032:analysis*; D008934:Mitogens; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D008934:Mitogens; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor