Mitogenic Activity and Epidermal Growth Factor Content in Human Milk

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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-thymidin incorporation in human fibroblasts was higher in colostral milk (stimulated incorporation 8.7 fold) than in mature milk (stimulated incorporation about 7-fold).